Wondering how to advocate for criminal justice reform when you can’t travel to a capitol? Start local: meet your legislators’ staff, back specific bills, and speak up where decisions get made. You can do most of it from home.
This guide is part of our wider coverage of criminal justice reform, with practical first steps for new advocates.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| 119th Congress term | January 2025 to December 2026 |
| Date of The Sentencing Project’s federal advocacy toolkit | March 7, 2025 |
| Second Look Act (federal) | Resentencing request after 10 years of incarceration |
| EQUAL Act (federal) | Sentences reduced for over 7,000 people in federal prisons |
| Youth Charging Reform Act (state) | Limits automatic charges for 16- and 17-year-olds |
These figures come from The Sentencing Project’s toolkit and its Get Involved page. Bills and campaigns change, so check the source before you rely on them.
Pick one issue and learn its history
The most effective advocates narrow their focus. Choose one issue, such as sentencing, voting rights or youth justice, and learn its background before you contact anyone. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) advises you to learn why previous attempts failed, who the opposition was, and what their talking points were.
Be patient, too. NACDL’s guidance says that bills very rarely pass in one session, and The Sentencing Project’s toolkit explains that bills which did not pass in the prior session must be reintroduced and work their way through the legislative process again.
NACDL’s advocacy guide adds a few habits worth borrowing:
- Build relationships and be helpful, so legislative offices see you as a go-to resource.
- Learn from experienced advocates, because each legislature has quirks that first-timers miss.
- Tailor your message to a legislator’s own priorities.
- Offer a solid solution, not just a complaint.
How to advocate for criminal justice reform with your lawmakers
A video call or a local office visit can be enough. According to The Sentencing Project’s toolkit, legislators and their staff can be reached virtually or in your state, a route often called in-district advocacy.
NACDL’s guide says having a solid relationship with your elected officials is by far the most successful way to influence policy. It also says that gaining the support of legislative committee chairs is key to advancing any bill. Know where your bill is and who is overseeing it.
The toolkit includes a step-by-step guide covering these routes:
- Meeting with legislative staff.
- Attending a town hall meeting.
- Using social media and the press to advocate for reform.
Bills you can ask lawmakers to back
The Sentencing Project’s Get Involved page lists federal and state actions you can take. Bill status moves fast, so check each bill before you call or write. Examples listed there include:
- The Second Look Act, which would let people in federal prison seek resentencing after 10 years of incarceration.
- The EQUAL Act, which would end the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine and reduce sentences for over 7,000 people in federal prisons.
- The Safer Detention Act and the First Step Implementation Act, described as bipartisan bills that would build on the First Step Act.
- The Inclusive Democracy Act, which would expand full voting rights in federal elections to justice-impacted people with felony convictions.
- The Youth Charging Reform Act, listed as a state campaign, which would limit automatic charges for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Personal experience carries weight. Bill Underwood, a Senior Fellow at The Sentencing Project, writes in the toolkit that his release came through the First Step Act of 2018 and that he testified to Congress at a House committee hearing in 2021. His message is that advocacy holds Congress accountable to its constituency.
Bring data, testimony and media into your advocacy
Facts help when you meet a skeptical office. The Prison Policy Initiative’s advocacy toolkit links to a curated guide of ten statistics about the scale and impact of mass incarceration in the U.S. It also has a guide on how to interpret and use recidivism statistics and withstand political attacks built on isolated events.
The same toolkit stresses that lawmakers need to hear from directly impacted people to understand the issues and make meaningful reforms. It also offers a guide on resisting carveouts, which it describes as reforms that exclude large categories of people, usually those convicted of violent, sex-related or other serious charges.
For press work, the toolkit lists a webinar called “Taking the Lede: How advocates can shape news coverage of the criminal legal system.” The Prison Policy Initiative says its advocacy department works with activist groups and elected officials to provide free research help and technical support. It prioritizes state and local groups with fewer resources and those led by directly impacted people.
Join a group that trains advocates
You rarely have to start from scratch. Restore Justice, which works in Illinois, offers two free advocacy trainings: Legislative Advocacy 101 and an Advanced Advocacy Training focused on building relationships with legislators. It also organizes trips to Springfield each legislative session so small groups can speak with lawmakers.
NACDL’s grassroots mobilization page offers tools and guides for members, affiliates and advocates who want to build relationships with state and federal legislators. The Sentencing Project’s Get Involved page also invites you to sign up as a Democracy Champion for monthly calls on jail-based voting.
Reform also shapes life after release, so it helps to read about ban the box laws and occupational licensing barriers for felons before you choose a campaign. This site is independent and is not affiliated with any group named here.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to travel to a capitol to advocate?
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No. The Sentencing Project’s toolkit says you can make yourself heard without ever traveling to Washington, DC, by meeting virtually or in your state.
How long does it take for a bill to pass?
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Often longer than one session. NACDL’s guide says bills very rarely pass in one session, and The Sentencing Project’s toolkit says bills that did not pass must be reintroduced. As of that toolkit’s March 2025 text, the 119th Congress runs from January 2025 to December 2026.
What if my legislator disagrees with me?
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NACDL suggests spending time educating and persuading legislators who are opposed, not only those already on board. It also notes that a yes vote is what matters; the reason a legislator supports a bill is less important.
Can people who were incarcerated take part?
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Yes, and their voices are valued. The Prison Policy Initiative says lawmakers need to hear from directly impacted people, and it prioritizes groups led by them.
