MISSION
We are a grassroots organization of system-impacted organizers and researchers who work to cultivate justice, fairness, and accountability in Washington State’s criminal legal system through civic education and empowerment. We operate on an inside-out organizing model, meaning our organization is led by currently incarcerated people working in concert with outside organizers who are primarily formerly incarcerated and/or have incarcerated loved ones.THE PROBLEM
Washington State’s criminal justice system discards lives, especially the lives of young Black and Indigenous People of Color, without a second look. Justice demands more.OUR SOLUTION
We provide peer-led civic education to system-impacted community members. We work to empower directly impacted people with the skills and knowledge to navigate legislative and policy change so that they may advocate on their own behalf. Further, through research and civic education we advocate for evidence-based sentencing practices that recognize the harm inflicted on marginalized communities by outdated criminal justice policies. Read more about our advocacyINSIDE ORGANIZERS
Inside Organizer at Stafford Creek Corrections Center
Jerry “Jay” Thomas is an anti-racist organizer, activist, and abolitionist. He is a Seattle native who was given a 23-year sentence at the age of 23 and is currently incarcerated at Stafford Creek Corrections Center.
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Inside Organizer at Washington Corrections Center
De Vennice “Vennie” Gaines is 45 years old currently serving a 38 year prison sentence at Washington Corrections Center. Vennie is a father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle, facilitator, and mentor.
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Inside Organizer at Washington State Penitentiary
I am the president of the BPC and also a strong advocate for change on the inside and outside community. through look2justice I further my passion to model change and create new ones.
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Inside Organizer at Airway Heights Corrections Center
Thomus has first hand knowledge of the juvenile-to-prison pipeline. After serving time in juvenile detention at the age of 17, he came out worse off than he went in. Juvie was a place where he, a decent student and athlete.
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Inside Organizer at Monroe Correctional Complex
Andrew Rowe, 49, is on year 25 of a 56-year sentence. He is one of the founding members of the Men Facilitating Change Program, which provides mentorship and resources to prepare younger prisoners for success in their communities.
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Inside Organizer at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
Vincent “Tank” Sherrill, son, brother, uncle, comrade, and subject matter expert. He’s evolved into a prison organizer, mentor, violence disruptor, peacemaker, youth advocate, and freedom fighter.
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Inside Organizer at Stafford Creek Corrections Center
Noel has helped and tutored countless other students and has also earned multiple college degrees over the years.
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Inside Organizer at Monroe Corrections Center
Board Member
Atif has been a student, teaching assistant, and advisory board member for University Beyond Bars and Unloop, and he now assists in Edmonds College’s Web Application program.
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Inside Organizer at Airway Heights Corrections Center
While in prison I have taken advantage of participating in many programs and education opportunities available to me. I am not the same person I was when I entered prison, I have put my heart into changing the behaviors that led me to prison.
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Inside Organizer at Washington Corrections Center for Women
She is the lead organizer for Look2justice at WCCW. Along with Criminal justice reform, another one of her primary passions is stressing the importance of post prison education for the incarcerated
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Inside Organizer at Washington Corrections Center
Hello my name is Carlos Bernardez Jr. and I am a lead organiser for Look ll Justice at Washington Corrections Center. I’ve been incarcerated for nearly 16 years.
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Inside Organizer at Clallam Bay Corrections Center
Recent changes in legislation gave me another chance. With the work I do for LookIIJustice, its my sincere hope to impact others the same way.
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OUR BOARD
Board Member
Devon is the Fundraising and Development Director at Collective Justice. He spent fifteen years in prison contributing to the wellness and uplifting of the incarcerated community.
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Board Member
Mike’s desire is to put in the work for anyone interested in assistance without judgment.
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Board Member
Jarrelle is an advocate and Tedx speaker. The perspective and intention that Jarrelle brings to this work is of one who has been a first hand witness to, and recipient of, the transformative power that comes as a result of relationship building.
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Board Member
Cassandra believes in the humanity of people and is committed to working towards collective healing that starts with our youth. She comes to this work as a loved one impacted by mass incarceration and as a survivor of harm.
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Board Member
Sandra is the owner and founder of Sandy’s Food for the Soul, a Black owned, high end, catering company that works to serve the greater Seattle area.
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Board Member
Martina is committed to the dignity, power, and agency of communities most impacted by interpersonal and state violence. Her work is shaped by her own experiences as a young person on various sides of harm and the criminal legal system.
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Inside Organizer
Board Member
Atif has been a student, teaching assistant, and advisory board member for University Beyond Bars and Unloop, and he now assists in Edmonds College’s Web Application program.
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OUR STAFF
Incarcerated Executive Director
Co-Founder
Christopher Blackwell, is the co-founder and current Executive Director of Look2Justice. He is serving a 45-year prison sentence in Washington State, where he has been incarcerated since 2003.
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Community Education Specialist
Chelsea Moore is the former Director of Look2Justice. She Co-Founded Look2Justice with her husband, Christopher Blackwell, who is incarcerated. Chelsea holds a PhD in political science from the University of Washington.
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Incarcerated Director of Inside Organizing
Antoine is the Inside Director of Organizing who counts himself blessed to be able to serve his community in such a great capacity.
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Director of Grants and Programs
KJ’s passions are criminal justice reform, gardening and his cat, Lula, who he always has pictures of upon request.
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Director of Community Organizing
Eugene is now the director of community organizing for Look2Justice a grassroots organization of system-impacted organizers and researchers.
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HR Manager
Sherri believes in the power of community and making changes to reduce mass incarceration and the devastating impacts it has made in our world.
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