As 2025 comes to an end, we’re reflecting on all of the progress we’ve seen over the last 10 years since Justice Action Network was founded. We sat down with our Executive Director, Lauren Krisai, to hear her thoughts on how the organization and policy work has evolved over the last 10 years, and what we hope to see over the next decade.

Dear Friends,

Last week, Justice Action Network Foundation (JANF) hosted its fourth State Lawmaker Convening on Smart Justice Policies in Scottsdale, Arizona.

This closed-door, bipartisan gathering brought together 30 top state lawmakers who are leaders on smart justice reforms in their states. Lawmakers in attendance represent a cross-section of the country in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah.

This year, JAN + JANF focused our resources in states where we have the strongest relationships and where we believe have the biggest opportunities for reform in 2025: Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

We’re thrilled to report that our focused advocacy approach paid off: NINE JAN-supported bills were signed into law!

Justice Action Network (JAN) celebrates the passage of Arizona Senate Bill 1507 that creates an Independent Correctional Oversight Office tasked with providing nonpartisan, independent oversight of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR).

In a significant bipartisan victory, the Arizona Legislature unanimously passed the Workforce Expansion Act (House Bill 2308) today. The bill, which is now headed to the governor for final approval, will reduce barriers to employment in Arizona by limiting the ability for licensing agencies to deny an otherwise qualified applicant an occupational license solely due to a past criminal offense that is unrelated to the occupation for which the license is sought.

As Arizona employers continue to struggle to fill open jobs, one group of eager workers may find it easier to accept those positions in the coming months. Senate Bill 1364, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-District 2), passed the House with a unanimous 57-0 vote earlier today, and previously passed the Senate with a unanimous 26-0 vote. The bill now heads to Governor Hobbs for her signature.

Today, Senate Bill 1290 passed the Arizona House by a margin of 57-0, representing a major step forward for reducing barriers to employment for those exiting prisons and making it easier for employers to hire qualified workers in the state of Arizona.

The criminal justice reform organization Justice Action Network applauded Hobbs’ move saying, “Robust corrections oversight will bring more transparency and accountability to the way that Arizona’s prisons operate.”