The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) was founded in 1961 by a philanthropist and a magazine editor to fight the injustices of the money bail system in NYC. Since its founding, Vera has committed its research, relationships, programs and advocacy to bold transformation of America’s criminal and legal immigration systems. It collaborates with the communities most impacted by these systems and works in close partnership with government and civic leaders to implement reforms to fight mass criminalization and create anti-racist, reparative justice systems. Vera seeks to support local innovation and then bring it to scale nationally for the most impact on public policies, practices, narratives and norms. It serves as a research and analytic partner for government and other stakeholders, translates its findings into actionable recommendations and convenes policymakers, justice professionals and advocates. Among Vera’s significant achievements are the creation of prison units in CT and other states that serve and address the needs of young adults ages 18 to 25.
