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Justice

Inspiring Change in the American Justice System

Chicago Beyond’s Holistic Safety Framework helps correctional administrators improve safety in jails and prisons by collaborating with people incarcerated and correctional staff to increase the emotional well-being of both groups. Through our investments in solutions led by those closest to the issues, the creation and dissemination of our Holistic Safety Framework, and our support of correctional institutions to increase physical and psychological safety, Chicago Beyond is creating the conditions for all community members – inside and outside of correctional walls – to be and feel protected, resilient, and engaged.

Life Expectancy
Staff
20 years

Correctional officers live approximately 20 years less than the national average. 

People Incarcerated
2 years

People incarcerated lose approximately 2 years of their life for each year confined.

Violence
Staff
36x

Correctional staff experience violence at a rate 36 times higher than all other American workers.

People Incarcerated
35%

35% of men incarcerated reported being physically victimized in the previous 6 months while in prison.

PTSD
Staff
34%

34% of correctional officers in security roles meet the criteria for PTSD, 5 times the national average. 

People Incarcerated
60%
60% of men incarcerated experience moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD. 
Suicide
Staff
2.5x

Correctional staff die by suicide at a rate 2.5 times the national average.

People Incarcerated
3.5x

People incarcerated in jails die by suicide at a rate 3.5 times the national average.

Our Approach

    • Investments
      We invest in people directly impacted by the justice system to increase the impact of solutions led by those closest to the issues. Our investment partners are fighting wrongful incarceration, supporting the leadership of individuals with prior experience in the system, increasing rehabilitative programming, and more.
    • Initiatives
      We support correctional system leaders to implement the tenets of Holistic Safety. Through collaborations with jails and prisons across the country, we help to demonstrate Holistic Safety in action and increase wellbeing and safety for all.
    • Insights
      Chicago Beyond’s Holistic Safety Framework helps correctional administrators improve safety in jails and prisons by collaborating with people incarcerated and correctional staff to increase the emotional well-being of both groups. Since its original publication in 2022 and new edition released in September of 2024, the framework has been cited and used by justice nonprofits, researchers, funders, and government institutions nationwide. It has also catalyzed our collaborative work with jails and prisons around the country.
  • Investments
    We invest in people directly impacted by the justice system to increase the impact of solutions led by those closest to the issues. Our investment partners are fighting wrongful incarceration, supporting the leadership of individuals with prior experience in the system, increasing rehabilitative programming, and more.
  • Initiatives
    We support correctional system leaders to implement the tenets of Holistic Safety. Through collaborations with jails and prisons across the country, we help to demonstrate Holistic Safety in action and increase wellbeing and safety for all.
  • Insights
    Chicago Beyond’s Holistic Safety Framework helps correctional administrators improve safety in jails and prisons by collaborating with people incarcerated and correctional staff to increase the emotional well-being of both groups. Since its original publication in 2022 and new edition released in September of 2024, the framework has been cited and used by justice nonprofits, researchers, funders, and government institutions nationwide. It has also catalyzed our collaborative work with jails and prisons around the country.

We partner with justice leaders across the country

  • A woman wearing a black shirt and suit blazer smiling with a chicago flag behind her on a gray backdrop.

    Willette Benford

    IL

    Senior Advisor, Office of MK Pritzker
  • A man smiling wearing a checkered collard shirt and a top hat with a white background.

    Erik Bringswhite

    SD

    Founder of I Am Legacy
  • Woman with short hair wearing a dark gray and black shirt, smiling with a blurred background.

    Celia Colón

    IL

    CEO of Giving Other's Dreams
  • A man wearing a gray business suit, smiling at the camera. The background is a light tan color.

    Khalil Cumberbatch

    NY

    Director of Engagement & Partnerships, Council on Criminal Justice
  • A man wearing a hat backwards and a purple shirt, smiling at the camera. The background is a background of a city backgrounds.

    Mujahid Hamilton

    IL

    Curriculum Coordinator of Green ReEntry at Inner-City Muslim Action Network
  • A man wearing blue business suit and a checkered shirt and a bright purple shirt, smiling at the camera. The background is a white color.

    Darren Mack

    NY

    Co-Director of Freedom Agenda
  • Person wearing glasses and a blue long sleeve shirt, smiling at the camera. On the shirt reads IMAN. The background is a light white color.

    Yusuf Madyun

    IL

    Participant in Green ReEntry at Inner-City Muslim Action Network
  • A woman wearing glasses and a light blue business suit, smiling at the camera. The background is a light tan color.

    Vivian Nixon

    NY

    Writer in Residence for The Square One Project, Former ED of the College & Community Fellowship
  • A man smiling at the camera with his hands clasped together wearing a hat with a letter D on it with a white background.

    Shaka Senghor

    CA

    Bestselling author of Writing My Wrongs and Letters to the Sons of Society
  • A woman with curly black hair, wearing a green and black shirt smiling at the camera. The background features blurred picture frames on a wall.

    Sharon White-Harrington

    NY

    Executive Director of Women's Community Justice Association

Learn More About Our Initiatives in Justice

Learn More About Our Insights in Justice