As a collective of over 90 diverse organizations and individuals from communities across Georgia — including Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, and Statesboro—the JRP works collaboratively to advance criminal justice reform at both the state and local levels. Our work is rooted in community engagement, policy advocacy, and leadership development to dismantle harmful legal systems and build equitable, restorative practices. By fostering strong partnerships and mobilizing directly impacted communities, JRP leads reform efforts statewide while amplifying the voices of those most affected by the criminal legal system.
The JRP aspires to the following ideals:
- To center the experiences of those who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
- To build power within and outside of the Atlanta Metropolitan area to end mass incarceration in our lifetime.
- To build a culturally diverse and informed coalition capable of educating communities about criminal justice reform.
- To embrace statewide and local grassroots advocacy as a means to catalyze change in the criminal legal system.
- To build allies across communities, including groups not typically aligned, where safe and feasible.
- To support community-based infrastructure that encourages transformation and rehabilitation, rather than incarceration.
- To establish JRP chapters outside of Atlanta capable of supporting community-specific initiatives.
- To run effective campaigns grounded in the leadership of directly impacted people in
Georgia. - To communicate narratives that acknowledge the racial impact of laws, policies, and practices in Georgia.
We believe every Georgian should be treated with dignity and have the ability to thrive in safe and strong communities. We believe that justice should advance public safety; be fair; transparent and respectful; and support restoration of people in their communities. The following statements reflect the core values that further these beliefs and inform our policy goals.
JRP Justice Day 2025 Tree of Hope
A. Accountability: A fair justice system is transparent and is accountable to all it serves.
B. Collaboration: We can only be successful if we establish relationships of trust, respect and mutual commitment. Collaboration requires members who are willing to: actively listen; share information and insight; communicate concisely and clearly; have a genuine interest in different ideas and experiences; and engage in shared decision-making.
C. Compassion: Trauma, substance abuse, poverty and medical or mental health disorders should receive compassionate care and effective treatment, not justice system involvement.
D. Dignity: Georgia must protect public safety while addressing the needs and respecting the dignity of those involved in the justice system.
E. Equity: Every Georgian should have access to the resources necessary to live a productive, safe and healthy life.
F. Fairness: Georgia will be safer and stronger when the justice system treats every person without bias or prejudice– regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, income, national origin, race, religion, or sexual identity.
G. Forgiveness: Our families and communities can only heal and thrive when restorative justice becomes the methodology and there are meaningful and accessible opportunities for those who have been involved in the justice system.
H. Innovation: Georgia must continue to identify and implement evidence-based policies that will increase public safety and help individuals and families succeed. Those directly impacted by the justice system should be engaged and lead in the identification of innovative strategies for reform.
I. Investment: Resources for education, employment, housing, healthcare and transportation should be invested in communities disproportionately impacted by crime to help create equity, and build strong and thriving communities. We should also divest in ineffective criminal justice practices that perpetuate the cycle of poverty and crime.
J. Justice: Justice should not be reserved for the wealthy. The rights of every person in Georgia must be protected and every crime survivor deserves to participate in the justice process.
K. Persistence: There is much work to be done in Georgia to meet the needs of those involved in the justice system and to make communities safer and stronger. We will maintain focus and drive in any political or economic climate.
L. Potential: Georgia will have safer communities and healthier families when every person has the resources and opportunities necessary to reach their fullest potential and are encouraged to express their skills and talents.
M. Respect: Georgia must acknowledge the value, potential, and dignity of every person when developing and implementing policies and practices that impact our communities and families.