People First is a movement to honor the humanity of people in the criminal justice system.
Words alone did not make and will not unmake mass incarceration, but they do make a difference. If we want to end mass incarceration, our language and policy choices must reflect an understanding that the tens of millions of individuals and families impacted by the system are people, first.
Why People First?
DEHUMANIZING PEOPLE PERPETUATES MASS INCARCERATION. Nearly 2 million people are incarcerated in our country’s jails and prisons, more per capita than any other country. The evidence is clear: mass incarceration does not bring us safety and instead causes real harm.
INCARCERATION HURTS COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY BLACK COMMUNITIES. People who have been incarcerated and their families have a lifetime of reduced earnings and a shortened life expectancy. Black people are 50% more likely to have a family member who has spent time in jail or prison.
WORDS MATTER. Dehumanizing labels are extremely common and they bias people against reform. They also make it harder to live and thrive after incarceration. One in three Americans has a criminal record–as many as have a college degree. When people are defined by their criminal record the negative consequences on employment and housing are profound.
We can all help build a safer, more successful country by choosing to put #PeopleFirst.
What can I do to join the People First movement?
“When audiences read and hear words like 'felon' and 'inmate' they are more afraid of, less open to, less curious about, and less supportive of people with experiences like mine and the opportunities that would make me most safe and free.”
Norris Henderson
Founder and executive director of Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) and its sister organization, Voters Organized to Educate
News & Resources
People First Language Guide
It’s time for the media to drop dehumanizing labels from their reporting. There are many resources and alternate terms journalists can use when reporting about justice-impacted individuals.
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People First Ambassadors
Mother. Father. Aunt. Uncle. Brother. Sister. These are just some of the words that describe people impacted by our criminal justice system.
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People First: Drop the Harmful Labels From Criminal Justice Reporting
Read the report showing the harmful impact of dehumanizing labels commonly used by the media.
Download
Business Ambassadors Program
Learn how to build a stronger, more inclusive workplace. Join the #PeopleFirst Business Program
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A Father's Freedom
Rob Rich reflects on fathering while incarcerated, the human toll of mass incarceration and why we must put People First in a moving interview.
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