Vera Institute of Justice | Making justice systems fairer and more effective through research and innovation

Margaret

diZerega

Director, Family Justice Program
Margaret works with corrections departments, juvenile justice agencies, and faith- and community-based organizations to support them in adopting family-focused and strength-based approaches. Before starting the Family Justice Program at Vera, Margaret was the director of training and technical assistance at Family Justice where she worked for three years. While at Family Justice, she led the development of the Relational Inquiry Tool as well as ongoing work with the Michigan Department of Corrections and California’s Division of Juvenile Justice. Prior to Family Justice, Margaret provided technical assistance to affordable housing developers and police as a program officer at LISC’s Community Safety Initiative. Margaret holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Williams College and a Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Blog Posts

Technology links families and their incarcerated loved ones
Imagine sending e-mail to a loved one in prison, or taking a virtual tour of the facility online. Corrections departments in Michigan and California are among a growing number of states that are using technology to help families stay connected.
Eric Holder, speaking as a father
Attorney General Eric Holder, speaking at a Fatherhood Town Hall hosted by Morehouse College, emphasized the importance of family connections in helping people transition home from prison.
Will you accept this call?
It was reassuring to read a recent New York Times editorial criticizing the New York State Court of Appeals’ decision against refunding family members for the high cost of collect calls from loved ones in prison.