a group of five police offices wearing tactical gear and carrying shields walking down Michigan avenue in Chicago

Créditos de la imagen: Sarah-Ji @loveandstrugglephotos

It’s time to end our reliance on criminalization and retribution in the U.S. We must adopt transformative alternatives rooted in healing and human dignity.

Prisons and policing don’t keep us safe. Even with the world’s highest incarcerations rate, the U.S. faces high rates of gun violence. AFSC advocates for community-based approaches that work better to create accountability, facilitate healing, and prevent harm.

300

Public records requests filed to gather data for “Equipped for War,” a detailed look at militarized policing in California. 

6,000

Letters from people in New York and New Jersey prisons answered by AFSC staff and volunteers in FY22.

Related Programs

Everyone has a role to play in creating safe, healthy communities for all—without relying on prisons or policing. Our programs work in partnership with communities across the U.S.

Michiganders rally for Second Look legislation at the State Capitol

Michigan Criminal Justice

AFSC addresses the state violence of the criminal, legal, and imprisonment systems in our communities. We disrupt the paradigm of punishment and build healing, wellness and full liberation for all.

St. Louis staff at 2024 Midwest Youth Summer Intensive

St. Louis Peacebuilding

The St. Louis Peace Education Program works to dismantle the school to prison pipeline and policing practices that negatively impact the lives of Black youth in St. Louis city and county.

Midwest Youth Summer Intensive 2024

Twin Cities Healing Justice

The Twin Cities Healing Justice Program disrupts the cradle-to-prison pipeline through anti-racist youth organizing, restorative practices, coalition building and thought leadership.

person standing in gymnasium talking to a group of youth

New York Healing Justice

AFSC’s NY Healing Justice Program supports people to heal and take leadership roles in confronting injustice. We work to improve the lives of the currently and formerly incarcerated.

A group of people stand in a line, several holding a banner that says

Wabanaki

AFSC's Wabanaki Program works to heal the trauma of Wabanaki communities in Maine. We draw communities together to confront injustices and promote healing among Maine's four Wabanaki tribes. 

An organizer addresses a press conference from the steps of San Francisco City hall, concerning police use of killer robots

California Healing Justice

The California Healing Justice Program works to reduce reliance on incarceration and policing and replace them with restorative, healing practices. We concentrate on three areas: ending mass incarceration, demilitarizing police, and the promotion of healing alternatives.

people at an outdoor action holding signs about the child tax credit

West Virginia Economic Justice

The West Virginia Economic Justice Project (WVEJ) works statewide on issues affecting low income and working families. We build effective coalitions in support of economic justice for all people.

Message on Chicago Stock Exchange during 2024 DNC

Chicago Peacebuilding

The Chicago Peacebuilding program works to dismantle militarist practices that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. We support the well-being of those who are targeted and criminalized by state violence and work for the abolition of the Prison Industrial Complex.

People arranging potted plants around a sidewalk sign

Action Center for Corporate Accountability

St. Louis staff at 2024 Midwest Youth Summer Intensive

St. Louis Peacebuilding

The St. Louis Peace Education Program works to dismantle the school to prison pipeline and policing practices that negatively impact the lives of Black youth in St. Louis city and county.

Global Policy and Strategy

Global Policy and Strategy

AFSC has more than a century of experience working with communities across the globe. In our policy and advocacy work, we bring these perspectives to the U.S. capital, United Nations, and other policy bodies.

A prominent Palestinian organizer speaks to an audience during a speaking tour

U.S. Palestine Activism Program

For decades, AFSC has worked to realize a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.

A woman in a hijab leads a march holding a banner and a bullhorn microphone

New Hampshire

AFSC’s New Hampshire Program works to nourish a growing movement of people calling for social, racial, and economic justice.

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