Institute of Impacted Leaders

Designed for people directly impacted by incarceration.

Initiate Justice’s Institute of Impacted Leaders is a 12-week organizing training program designed for people directly impacted by mass incarceration. It is currently virtual.

Download information sheet (PDF)

Applications open January 24th for our Spring ’22 cohort in Los Angeles.

If you are interested in the Institute of Impacted Leaders, either in Los Angeles or in another region of CA, let us know here.

What will I learn?

Participants learn about community organizing, how the policy process works in California, how to change statewide laws, and how to advocate for themselves and their loved ones in prison.

How much does it cost?

All materials and travel* are paid for by Initiate Justice, and graduates receive a stipend upon completion, as well as State Senate/Assembly recognition for their efforts.

*As of Summer 2021, all classes are via zoom.

What happens after graduation?

Graduates become Outside Organizers who help lead our work through our member action committees. Some graduates of the Institute take skills learned and go into state prisons to train our Inside Organizers. Many of our Outside Organizers become members of staff, or lead their own projects like our healing circles.