Lone Star Justice Alliance

LONE STAR JUSTICE ALLIANCE (LSJA) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2017 AS A NON-PROFIT LEGAL ORGANIZATION THAT IMPROVES THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND EMERGING ADULTS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, MOST OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN OF COLOR WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES IN A PIPELINE THAT IGNORES THEIR YOUTH, DISMISSES THEIR PERSONAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, AND CATAPULTS THEM INTO ADULTHOOD IN AN UNFORGIVING SYSTEM. LSJA ENVISIONS A JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT USES DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO BEHAVIOR AND TREATS CHILDREN AND EMERGING ADULTS WITH EQUITY AND DIGNITY TO PROMOTE RESILIENCE, CONSERVE COSTS, AND INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY.

TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE - THE TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE MODEL IS THE FIRST-EVER ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION FOR EMERGING ADULTS (AGES 17-24) IN TEXAS, WHICH EMPLOYS A COST EFFECTIVE, RESEARCH-BASED APPROACH TO LOWER RECIDIVISM AND IMPROVE HEALTH. IN 2021, LSJA LAUNCHED THE JUSTCAREERS PROGRAM, A TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE WORKFORCE PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON CONNECTING JUSTICE IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS WITH EMPLOYERS. JUSTCAREERS PROVIDES JUSTICE-INVOLVED EMERGING ADULTS ACCESS TO TRAINING IN A HIGH DEMAND CAREER WHERE THEY ARE PAID FOR BOTH CLASSROOM AND JOB SITE TIME - CALLED AN "EARN AND LEARN" MODEL. AT THE END OF THEIR TRAINING PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS ENTER FULL-TIME JOBS THAT PAY WAGES THAT HELP THEM NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT TO THRIVE.

JUSTSENTENCING - LSJA PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO ENFORCE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OWED TO CHILDREN AND EMERGING ADULTS IN THE TEXAS JUSTICE SYSTEM (YOUTH SENTENCING PROJECT) AND FOR SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (SURVIVORS' PROJECT), WHOSE CRIMES ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO THEIR OWN VICTIMIZATION.

REIMAGINE JUSTICE - THROUGH OUR REIMAGINE JUSTICE PROGRAM, WE CULTIVATE CONNECTIONS WITH AND EQUIP COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, DEFENSE COUNSEL, DIRECTLY-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS, AND STAKEHOLDERS, TO SHIFT NARRATIVES AND DRIVE CHANGE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. WE DO THIS THROUGH PLACE-BASED COALITIONS, POLICY ADVOCACY, AND TRAINING.