Pretrial Justice Institute

Mission

We inform, inspire, and mobilize local pretrial changemakers working to end mass incarceration by advancing safe, fair, and effective pretrial justice policies and practices that honor and protect everyone—regardless of race, wealth, or zip code. 

Vision

We envision a justice system rooted in Local Antiracist Pretrial Justice (LAPJ): a decarceral, community‑led framework where people facing charges stay in their communities with dignity and support, rather than behind bars. By reducing “front‑door” jail intake, we free up resources, protect constitutional rights, and channel investment into community well‑being—a powerful step toward collective freedom. 

Why We Exist

For nearly 50 years, we’ve been the only U.S. nonprofit solely dedicated to improving pretrial justice. Our approach balances legal and technical expertise with lived experience—delivering policy review, system assessment, training, data analysis, and strategy services to communities nationwide. We believe meaningful reform comes from both inside the system and from the grassroots.