Kayla James

she/her

Kayla James works as a senior program associate with Vera’s Unlocking Potential initiative to help expand access to high-quality postsecondary education in prison. She leads the Race, Equity, and Inclusion in Postsecondary Education in Prison pilot project to promote equitable corrections education policy and practices in Washington State. She also provides technical assistance and subject matter expertise to colleges, nonprofits, and corrections agencies, improving educational, vocational, and employment services for people returning to their communities from prisons and jails.

Before joining Vera, Kayla worked with New York State and New York City corrections departments, assisting with training corrections officers and assessing suicide prevention policy. Kayla also worked on global policy and advocacy efforts such as access to justice and bail reform.

Kayla holds a BA in psychology and criminal justice and an MA in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Albany.