Transforming prison conditions with human dignity at the core

Restoring Promise is an initiative of the Vera Institute of Justice that seeks to transform prison cultures, climates, and spaces by partnering with corrections leaders to reimagine housing units for young adults. These units center dignity, safety, and healing, while realigning corrections policies and practices with a commitment to human dignity. This work addresses one of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. criminal justice system: the inhumane and often abusive conditions inside prisons.

The reality of living and working conditions in U.S. prisons

For so many, punishment means not only the loss of liberty—it also means enduring degrading treatment and unsafe environments. Nearly 2 million people in the United States are incarcerated, held in cramped spaces that lack fresh air, healthy food, natural light, proper health care, and connection to loved ones. These poor prison conditions have a profound impact on the health, mental well-being, and long-term success of incarcerated people and corrections staff.

Incarcerated people endure humiliating treatment, inhumane conditions, and abusive interactions—which lead to significant trauma and harm people’s efforts to thrive once they leave prison. Tens of thousands of people are forced into solitary confinement or restrictive housing, and extensive research highlights the long-lasting negative effects—without evidence of improved safety—for such practices.

But the impact of incarceration extends far beyond the millions of people behind bars—it affects corrections staff, entire communities, and public health at large.

Corrections professionals experience poor health outcomes because of harsh prison conditions: they have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder than returning veterans of war and more than double the suicide rate of police officers. Low pay, long hours, insufficient training, and minimal emotional support make hiring and retaining staff a challenge. These staffing challenges impact a department of correction's ability to provide the care and programming needed for people to thrive.

The unequal impact of incarceration

These conditions disproportionately impact Black people and other people of color, who are overrepresented in the prison system due to longstanding racial disparities in policing, prosecution, and the courts. People of color are also more likely to face the harshest forms of punishment, like solitary confinement. The result is a cycle of harm that deepens inequality.

A better future

It’s time for change. Prisons should be healthy places to live and work. And with nine in 10 incarcerated people returning to their communities, we must prioritize education, treatment, and training. Investing in better prison conditions is a public safety strategy that benefits all of us.

Restoring Promise is creating a new vision for what prisons can look like—rooted in human dignity, safety, and opportunity. Together, we can build a prison system that supports healing, strengthens families, and promotes success both inside and beyond prison walls.