The Prison Policy Initiative stands as a testament to the power of dedicated individuals working towards meaningful social change. Fueled by the support of countless advocates, the organization has expanded its team and amplified its capacity to drive critical reforms within the criminal justice system. At the heart of this impactful organization is Peter Wagner, an attorney and the visionary Executive Director whose work has ignited national conversations and policy shifts.
Peter Wagner: A Pioneer in Prison Reform Advocacy
Peter Wagner’s journey began with a powerful vision: to expose and address the often-overlooked negative consequences of mass incarceration in the United States. In 2001, he co-founded the Prison Policy Initiative, driven by a commitment to spark a national dialogue and instigate tangible change. His groundbreaking report, Importing Constituents: Prisoners and Political Clout in New York, became a catalyst for the nationwide movement to abolish “prison gerrymandering,” a practice that distorts political representation by counting incarcerated people as residents of the prison location rather than their home communities.
Wagner’s meticulous research and unwavering advocacy on prison gerrymandering garnered significant media attention, including an impressive 21 editorials in The New York Times. This sustained pressure played a crucial role in persuading multiple states and over 200 local governments to dismantle prison gerrymandering, ensuring fairer and more accurate political representation for all communities.
Under Peter Wagner’s strategic leadership, the Prison Policy Initiative has expanded its focus to tackle other critical areas of criminal justice reform. The organization has achieved significant victories in regulating the exploitative prison and jail telephone industry, bringing transparency and affordability to communication for incarcerated individuals and their families. Furthermore, Wagner and his team have rigorously quantified the counterproductive effects of geography-based punishments, specifically examining sentencing enhancement zones and their detrimental impact on communities.
Wagner’s commitment to reaching broader audiences has led to impactful collaborations across various platforms. He authored influential reports, including the widely cited “whole pie” analysis of mass incarceration, which provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. correctional system. Recognizing the power of visual media, Wagner collaborated with Hank Green of VlogBrothers to create an engaging video explaining the failures of mass incarceration to a vast online audience. He also partnered with Josh Begley to contextualize state-level incarceration rates within a global perspective, highlighting the scale of the issue. Even the realm of theatre has been touched by Wagner’s advocacy, with his work on prison gerrymandering reaching nationwide screens, further amplifying awareness and understanding.
Peter Wagner’s impactful contributions to criminal justice reform have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award in 2013 and the American Constitution Society’s David Carliner Public Interest Award in 2014. His continued dedication positions him as a leading voice in the ongoing movement for a more just and equitable criminal justice system.
Follow Peter Wagner on Twitter @PWPolicy to stay updated on his insights and the Prison Policy Initiative’s latest work.
Aleks Kajstura, JD: Legal Expertise Driving Systemic Change
Aleks Kajstura, the Legal Director at the Prison Policy Initiative, has been an integral part of the organization since 2003, bringing her legal expertise to the forefront of the fight for justice. A graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2008, Kajstura has played a pivotal role in the Prison Policy Initiative’s campaigns, particularly in the battle against prison gerrymandering. Her publication, Prison Gerrymandering in Massachusetts: How the Census Bureau prison miscount invites phantom constituents to town meeting, provided critical analysis and advocacy within this crucial area.
Beyond prison gerrymandering, Aleks has spearheaded the organization’s work on sentencing enhancement zones, authoring impactful reports such as The Geography of Punishment: How Huge Sentencing Enhancement Zones Harm Communities, Fail to Protect Children and Reaching too far: How Connecticut’s large sentencing enhancement zones miss the mark. Her research meticulously exposes the unintended consequences and ineffectiveness of these zones.
Kajstura’s work extends to illuminating other hidden dimensions of mass incarceration. Her research highlighting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on women sparked a New York Times editorial, bringing crucial attention to this often-overlooked aspect of the issue. Her report, States of Women’s Incarceration: The Global Context, provides a vital global perspective on women’s incarceration rates.
Wendy Sawyer: Unveiling the Data Behind Mass Incarceration
As the Research Director at the Prison Policy Initiative, Wendy Sawyer brings a wealth of expertise in criminal justice research. Holding a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s in Afro-American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Sawyer’s academic background informs her rigorous and insightful analysis of complex issues within the criminal justice system. Prior to joining the Prison Policy Initiative, she honed her skills as an investigator for the Civilian Complaint Review Board in New York City and as a research associate at Northeastern’s Institute on Race and Justice.
Sawyer is the author of numerous pivotal reports, most notably Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2024, a comprehensive and frequently cited report that paints a clear picture of the vast landscape of mass incarceration in the United States. Her co-authored report, Mass Incarceration, COVID-19, and Community Spread, demonstrates the direct link between overcrowded correctional facilities and the increased spread of COVID-19 within both incarcerated populations and surrounding communities.
Her research portfolio also includes critical reports on youth confinement, the misuse of police and jails for social issues, gender disparities in incarceration, and the financial burdens of probation fees. Sawyer is also recognized for conducting the Prison Policy Initiative’s widely referenced 50-state surveys on prison labor wages and medical copays for incarcerated individuals, shedding light on exploitative practices within prisons. Furthermore, she regularly contributes shorter briefings on emerging data, academic research, women’s incarceration trends, pretrial detention, and probation, making complex information accessible to a wider audience.
Wanda Bertram: Amplifying the Message for Justice
Wanda Bertram, the Communications Strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, serves as the organization’s primary media contact and spokesperson, ensuring their vital research and advocacy reach a broad audience. She co-authored the impactful State of Phone Justice 2022: The problem, the progress, and what’s next, highlighting the ongoing issues within the prison phone industry. Bertram is also a leading expert on the use of tablet computers in prisons, analyzing the implications of prison tablet contracts and policies that place financial burdens on incarcerated people and their families, such as bans on physical mail behind bars. Her work exposes the financial exploitation within the prison system and advocates for more equitable policies.
Emily Widra: Mapping the Geography of Incarceration
Emily Widra, a Senior Research Analyst at the Prison Policy Initiative, leads the organization’s critical work examining the criminal legal system’s response to the pandemic. She co-authored Failing Grades: States’ responses to COVID-19 in Jails & Prisons, a damning assessment of state-level responses to the crisis within correctional facilities. Widra is also the lead author of the groundbreaking series of reports, Where People in Prison Come From: The geography of mass incarceration, which provides unprecedented clarity on the geographic origins of incarcerated populations, revealing the disproportionate impact on specific communities. She also co-authored States of Incarceration: The Global Context 2021, placing U.S. incarceration rates within a global framework. Her insightful blog posts cover a range of topics, including the potential of “good time” systems to reduce prison populations, resources for organizations focused on policing reform, and the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black women within the criminal justice system.
Mike Wessler: Strategic Communication for Systemic Reform
Mike Wessler, the Communications Director at the Prison Policy Initiative, brings over a decade of experience in strategic communication to amplify the organization’s message. He is the author of SMH: The rapid & unregulated growth of e-messaging in prisons, exposing the lack of oversight in the expanding market of electronic messaging within correctional facilities. Wessler’s background includes communications roles in nonprofit organizations, political campaigns, and government offices, including the Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor and the Office of the Montana Governor.
Leah Wang: Deep Dive into Prison Populations and Diversion Strategies
Leah Wang, a Senior Research Analyst at the Prison Policy Initiative, brings a unique perspective informed by her background in sustainability science and prior experience at the Massachusetts Department of Correction. She is the co-author of Beyond the count: A deep dive into state prison populations, offering in-depth analysis of state-level incarceration data, and Building exits off the highway to mass incarceration: Diversion programs explained, examining the effectiveness of diversion programs as alternatives to incarceration. Wang’s experience working with prison and jail education programs, such as Petey Greene and The New Garden Society, further enriches her understanding of the challenges and potential solutions within the criminal justice system.
Danielle Squillante: Building Support and Expanding Reach
Danielle Squillante serves as the Development and Communications Associate at the Prison Policy Initiative, playing a vital role in fundraising and expanding the organization’s reach. Her previous experience as a program manager and education support specialist at ROCA, and as a former public school teacher, informs her approach to community engagement and development.
Sarah Staudt: Driving Policy Change through Advocacy
Sarah Staudt, the Policy & Advocacy Director at the Prison Policy Initiative, leads the organization’s efforts to translate research into tangible policy change. With a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and prior experience as the Director of Policy at the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, Staudt brings significant policy and legal expertise to her role. Her intensive work on the Pretrial Fairness Act in Illinois, in collaboration with the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, demonstrates her commitment to pretrial justice reform. She also previously worked as a Staff Attorney at the Lawndale Christian Legal Center, representing young people in juvenile and adult court.
Brian Nam-Sonenstein: Elevating Voices and Shaping the Narrative
Brian Nam-Sonenstein, the Senior Editor and Researcher at the Prison Policy Initiative, brings a strong background in journalism and advocacy to the organization. Before joining, he worked as a columnist and reporter for various news outlets and co-founded Shadowproof, where he served as a publishing editor. Nam-Sonenstein also organized the Marvel Cooke Fellowship to amplify the voices of incarcerated writers. He co-hosts the Beyond Prisons podcast and has a decade of experience producing media on issues ranging from drug decriminalization to prisoner-led organizing.
Emmett Sanders: Advocacy Rooted in Lived Experience
Emmett Sanders, the Policy and Advocacy Associate, brings invaluable lived experience to his role at the Prison Policy Initiative. As a critically impacted researcher, writer, and advocate, Sanders holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Prior to joining, he served as the Project Researcher and Organizer on MediaJustice’s Challenging E-Carceration and Unshackling Freedom campaigns, becoming an expert on electronic monitoring. His previous role as the Justice and Reentry Advocate at Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office further demonstrates his dedication to advocacy and reform.
Regan Huston: Connecting with Audiences in the Digital Age
Regan Huston, the Digital Communications Strategist at the Prison Policy Initiative, focuses on making complex issues accessible and engaging across digital platforms. With a background in Convergence Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and experience as a Senior Social Media Manager for The Messenger, and content development roles at NowThis and Vice News, Huston brings expertise in crafting impactful digital content and strategies. She also serves on the board of the iSpeakMedia Foundation, dedicated to advancing media literacy education.
The team at the Prison Policy Initiative, under the leadership of Peter Wagner, represents a diverse and dedicated group of individuals committed to data-driven research, strategic advocacy, and clear communication to drive meaningful criminal justice reform. Their collective expertise and passion are instrumental in shaping a more just and equitable future.
