VOTE - Voice of the Experienced

Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) is a grassroots organization led by formerly incarcerated people with four chapters throughout Louisiana. VOTE holds a central role in multiple local and national coalitions, and serves as a hub for criminal justice reform efforts. Through public advocacy and leadership development, VOTE influences and changes policies relating to jails, prisons, voting, employment, housing, parole, public health and more.

We do this through:

• Civic engagement by people impacted by the criminal justice system;
• Educating and influencing the public regarding public safety and alternatives to incarceration;
• Litigation and legislation to restore voting rights to all people living in the community;
• Re-entry support and strategic input on programming;
• Repealing discriminatory policies that fracture communities and promote recidivism;
• Developing, and advocating for, sentencing and parole reforms;
• Fighting against inhumane conditions in jail and prison;
• Identifying and cultivating leadership within our community.

VOTE ensures the impacted community is at the center of transforming the criminal justice system. VOTE was founded in 1986, and is highly regarded for both expertise and innovation.