Women have become the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population in the last four decades. According to The Sentencing Project, “The female incarcerated population stands almost seven times higher than in 1980. Over 62% of imprisoned women in state prisons have a child under the age of 18.1. Between 1980 and 2022, the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 585%.”

Approximately 600,000-650,000 state and federal prisoners are released every year. If juvenile offenders are included, that number rises to 700,000. This is a pressing social and economic issue for policy makers, state and federal legislatures, local governments, social service agencies, and the public.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.