Designed for Dignity
Transforming Prison Cultures
Corrections agencies are grappling with how to create safe and humane environments for people who work, visit, and are incarcerated in prison; to recruit and retain staff; and to sustain efforts that promote incarcerated people’s successful transition out of prison.
Vera, with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), will partner with state corrections agencies to participate in training and technical assistance focused on developing, implementing, and enhancing strategies to foster safer, more humane prison cultures, climates, and spaces for both correctional staff and those who are incarcerated.
Designed for Dignity is an evolution of Restoring Promise, building on Vera’s groundbreaking work with corrections agencies and evidence that the Restoring Promise approach to young adult housing units can make facilities safer for both staff and people who are incarcerated. Using Vera’s Dignity Principles for conditions of confinement as a guide, Vera will partner with corrections agencies to implement strategies to better align with a focus on human dignity and to achieve their mission-critical goals.
This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-23-GK-05375-SCAX awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
How to collaborate with us
Please submit the completed request for proposals by 11:59 p.m. PT on May 29, 2024. Any state departments of corrections are eligible to apply.
Questions about this solicitation should be directed to Clinique Chapman, associate director of policy and advocacy, Restoring Promise, cchapman@vera.org.
Learn more
Watch Vera's webinar, "Designed for Dignity: Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates and Spaces."
During the event, we offered insights into Restoring Promise, introduced Designed for Dignity, and walked participants through the RFP application process. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions, clarify project details, and understand expectations for Vera and the two selected DOC state partners.
