Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI)

Screenshot of an article with headline Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in Washington

“It was like a machine... And it creates more harm than good.”

Time & time again, the system traps kids of color–particularly Black & Native American–in the system with no way out. And we're all worse off for it.

Bold blue text on a beige background reads, “Want this movement to survive?” Below, red-orange text in the same font reads "Help Power It.“ A web address, linktr.ee/pretrialjustice, is written in smaller text along the bottom of the graphic. The organization's website, pretrial.org, appears in the top right corner. In the bottom right corner, a stylized photo shows a hand holding a megaphone.

Read the full announcement and stand with us (link in our bio).

#fundjustice #publicsafety #organizeforjustice

Bold blue text on a beige background reads, “Radical Commitment.” Below, smaller text says, “Every member of our four person team has decided to stay on, with less pay, because this mission matters.” A web address, pretrial.org, appears in the top right corner. In the bottom right corner, a stylized photo shows a hand holding a megaphone.

We chose a generative pause, a reset to protect the work we believe in.

Instead of closing our doors, we chose renewal.

Bold blue text on a beige background reads, “Defunded.” Below, smaller text says, “PJI's federal grant was rescinded in April 2025. Since then, we've submitted 20+ funding proposals. Unfortunately, support has not materialized.” A web address, pretrial.org, appears in the top right corner. In the bottom right corner, a stylized photo shows a hand holding a megaphone.

Funding got cut. But we didn’t walk away.

Bold blue text on a beige background reads, “We’re not backing down.” Below, smaller text says, “Underfunded. Underestimated. Still here.” A web address, pretrial.org, appears in the top right corner. In the bottom right corner, a stylized photo shows a hand holding a megaphone.

The racial equity field is under attack.

A promotional image for an upcoming virtual pretrial convening featuring the question "what does a city without cages look like in practice?" in bold black and red font. In smaller black font at the top left and bottom right corners of the image are the social media handles of the event organizers @bronxdefenders @pretrialjustice and @racenyu.

A promotional image for an upcoming virtual pretrial convening featuring the question "how can we shift from to reacting to crises to building long term systems of care, stability, and safety?" in bold black and red font. In smaller black font at the top left and bottom right corners of the image are the social media handles of the event organizers @bronxdefenders @pretrialjustice and @racenyu.

A promotional image for an upcoming virtual pretrial convening featuring the question "who needs to be at the table to turn this vision into reality?" in bold black and red font. In smaller black font at the top left and bottom right corners of the image are the social media handles of the event organizers @bronxdefenders @pretrialjustice and @racenyu.

A promotional image for an upcoming event. In bold black and red font are the words Virtual Pretrial Convening, November 19 at 11am ET. In smaller black font at the top left and bottom right corners of the image are the social media handles of the event organizers @bronxdefenders @pretrialjustice and @racenyu.

How can New York City build safety through care, not incarceration?

Join PJI, The Bronx Defenders, and NYU Law’s Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law for a virtual convening on the future of pretrial justice.

📅 Nov 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM ET
🔗 Register for free @ bit.ly/Nov2025PretrialConvening

Not a project. Not a partnership. A promise: “I’m your ally and friend.”
Justice on Tap is lifting up voices that too often get tokenized—and asking the hard questions about what real support looks like.
📽️ Stay tuned to hear how lived experience is reshaping justice from the ground up.
#PublicSafety

The harms of pretrial detention are too great to ignore. ‘A City Without Cages’ reimagines NYC’s pretrial system through care, equity & collaboration.

🔗 Check out the full report at bit.ly/NYCWithoutCages

#PretrialJustice #RacialEquity #CommunitySafety #AbolitionInAction #CityWithoutCages

In Part 2 of our conversation with Mano Raju, we dive deeper into what it means to truly 'rock with your client', and how community engagement transforms public defense.
🔗Watch the full video now via the link in our bio

@manorajupd.bsky.social @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov 

#PublicSafety #PublicDefense

What does fairness really look like in the courtroom? Hint: it starts with listening to the person whose life is on the line. Join us this Thursday, October 16 for a conversation that challenges how we define justice.
@manorajupd.bsky.social @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov 
#PublicSafety #PublicDefense

Bold beige font on an orange background reads: how text messages can help keep people out of jail. Below the text is a graphic of a hand holding a smartphone with several text message bubbles on the screen.

Text reminders help people stay free & save public resources. Harvard research shows court texts reduce jail time & missed hearings.

Smart, scalable, humane💡

🔗 Learn more via the link in our bio!

@harvardkennedy.bsky.social 

#PublicSafety #JusticeReform #FundJustice #PretrialJustice

Everyone within U.S. borders—regardless of age and immigration status—is entitled to due process when facing deportation.

Graph titled the most vulnerable people in prison often do not receive the medical care they need. 42% of people in severe psychological distress while incarcerated have not had mental health treatment.

Prison is a dangerous place. Its horrific conditions can be triggering for anyone. Yet more than 40% of people behind bars in severe psychological distress have not had mental health treatment

The carceral system is no place for people who need health care

#WorldMentalHealthDay

Public defenders do more than defend cases — they defend futures. By connecting clients to resources, education, and support, they build trust and break cycles. Join us on 10/16 for the full conversation on rethinking public safety. ⚖️💡
@manorajupd.bsky.social @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
#PublicSafety

Public defenders don’t get massive budgets or ivory-tower experts to make powerful cases— but community expertise counts.
When we bring lived experience into the courtroom, we move the ball toward real justice. ⚖️
@manorajupd.bsky.social @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
#PublicSafety #JusticeReform

We told ya'll Taylor wasn't the only one with BIG news to share❤️‍🔥
✨Introducing Justice on Tap!✨A podcast series serving knowledge, advocacy & action on the pretrial system. When it comes to justice, we don’t wait… we keep it ON TAP ⚖️🍸
#justiceontap #pretrialreform #taylorswift #thelifeofashowgirl

Taylor’s not the only one with a big October release ❤️‍🔥
Something big is dropping… can you guess what it is?

#TaylorSwift #TS12 #TheLifeOfAShowgirl #pretrialjusticeinstitute #fundjustice #endmassincarceration

New merch, same mission: end mass incarceration💥Each purchase powers the fight for justice, equity, and liberation. 

Check it out at bit.ly/ShopPJI

#pretrialjusticeinstitute #endmassincarceration #abolishcashbail #publicsafety

Jailed for $750, she lost her home, car, & was separated from her kids. This is the violence of cash bail—destabilizing families & making return to court harder. Cash bail punishes poverty & undermines safety. 🌱 Build alternatives. Donate today at pretrial.org/donate
#PublicSafety #EndCashBail

Locking people up doesn’t equal safety. Every detention decision harms families + communities. True safety comes from stability, healing, and accountability—not more incarceration. Join us in building alternatives. Donate today at pretrial.org/donate.
#endmassincarceration #endcashbail #publicsafety

Locking people up doesn’t equal safety. Every detention decision harms families + communities. True safety comes from stability, healing, and accountability—not more incarceration. Join us in building alternatives. Donate today at pretrial.org/donate. 
#EndMassIncarceration #EndCashBail #FundJustice

Cages don’t make us safe—they create the conditions that drive violence: shame, isolation, economic harm, exposure to violence. Real safety = accountability + healing.

🌱Join us in building alternatives—donate today at pretrial.org/donate
#endmassincarceration #fundjustice #endcashbail #publicsafety

For People Mentally Unfit For Trial, Waits For Treatment Get Longer U.S. defendants must be able to understand the charges against them — but many who can’t remain behind bars waiting for mental health treatment.

“Basically, it’s a systemic movement of resources away from preventing tragedy to requiring tragedy,” Clark said. “It’s the same population. It’s the same people. It’s just where are we going to serve them: Before they’ve been criminalized or after they’ve been criminalized?”

Slide features black text reading "Pushing for Pretrial Freedom: Celebrating Two Years of the Pretrial Fairness Act. Tuesday, September 16th at 6pm CDT" over a golden sparkley background. Below that is an image of a diverse group of advocates outside a courthouse caryyinh signs about the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Black text over a golden sparkly background reading: September 2025 marks two years since Illinois implemented the Pretrial Fairness Act and ended money bail. Join the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice and some special guests on Tuesday, September 16th at 6pm CDT for “Pushing for Pretrial Freedom: Celebrating Two Years of the Pretrial Fairness Act,” an online event marking this historic anniversary. This virtual education event will feature conversations with advocates, legislators, and organizers discussing how Illinois has continued to move the fight for pretrial freedom forward after becoming the first state in the country to end money bond. During this event, you’ll hear: State Senator Robert Peters (13th District) and David Hogg (Leaders We Deserve) in conversation about how Illinois is redefining community safety. Champaign County Chief Public Defender Elisabeth Pollock on how the FAIR Act will transform legal representation for Illinoisans who can’t afford an attorney. Jersey Shabazz (Access Living) & Katrina Baugh (Radical Hospitality Ministries) discussing the Pretrial Success Grants Program and how this investment in voluntary services for people awaiting trial will improve pretrial outcomes. Updates on implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act and how after nine years, the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice continues our work to free more of our neighbors from pretrial jailing. Join us to celebrate the progress we’ve made in transforming Illinois’ pretrial justice system and learn about the work ahead!

September 2025 marks two years since Illinois implemented the Pretrial Fairness Act and ended money bail.

Join us and some special guests on Tuesday, September 16th at 6pm for an online event marking this historic anniversary. Register here: forms.gle/Y1mHJuaxq6Wb...

An image promoting the eighth annual Give 8/28. A national day of giving for Black-led and Black Benefiting organizations. The top half features a meme from Finding Nemo with a pink starfish saying "Today's the Daaaaay!", conveying excitement for a long awaited event. The bottom half has a bright pink background and features the Pretrial Justice Institute and Give 8/28 logo with the tag line "...Because Black Giving is Magic!"

Our ancestors gave from sacrifice & solidarity, not wealth. Today, on Give828, we carry that legacy forward. Support Black-led orgs creating the future we deserve. 

💛bit.ly/pji-give828

#Give828 #BlackPhilanthropyMonth #fundjustice #pretrialjusticeinstitute #mutualaid

A promotional graphic for a free webinar titled Liberating Justice. In the bottom half of the image, the title of the event is written in bold orange font. Just above it, the date and time (August 28th at 2pm Eastern Time) are listed in bold white font. The top half of the image features photos of the panelists and bright orange star callouts announcing that it is a free webinar and that today (Wednesday. August 27th) is the last day to register.

Today’s your LAST chance! Join Liberating Justice—a FREE webinar on resourcing Black-led justice work + reimagining philanthropy. 📅 Aug 28 | 2PM ET 🎟 bit.ly/liberating-justice

On a dark grey background, bold yellow and white font announces that early giving for Give 8/28 begins today, August 26th, and provides the link to donate to the Pretrial Justice Institute: bit.ly/pji-give828

Our ancestors gave not from abundance, but from love, survival, and a vision of freedom. This Give828, honor their legacy by fueling Black-led orgs fighting for liberation today. Give boldly. Give for freedom. Give now.

#BlackPhilanthropyMonth #Give828 #fundjustice

Beat Back Trump’s Attack on the Pretrial Fairness Act! President Trump has said he wants to end the Pretrial Fairness Act and bring back money bail in Illinois. We are asking people from across the state to call on their legislators and Governor Pritzker ...

President Trump has issued an executive order aimed at forcing states that have ended or reduced the use of money bail in the pretrial process to reverse those policies.

Tell Governor Pritzker & your legislators to defend the Pretrial Fairness Act: actionnetwork.org/letters/beat...

54 years later, his words still guide us. Even as mass incarceration continues to cage and kill, George's vision of freedom endures and strengthens today's struggle for abolition. To honor him is to organize, resist, and fight for liberation✊🏾