DC Jail Information and Family Support Community
This page is created for those who have been or know someone currently incarcerated at the DC DOC. jail.
The goal is to educate and help those who are currently being held at the DC Jail. This page is created to give a voice to people inside the walls of D.C.’s jails. We invite anyone with a loved one at D.C. Jail to share updates about their experience here. And, we invite journalists and District leadership to follow along. There can be no accountability without transparency. Examples of Informatio
11/12/2025
The justices to consider compassionate-release statute The Supreme Court will hear oral argument on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in two back-to-back cases posing basic questions about the breadth of the compassionate-release statute, 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i), that governs a […]
10/28/2025
Here at Free Minds, we have seen over and over again the transformative impact that DC laws like the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act/Second Look (IRAA) and Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) have had on our communities. Through DC’s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA), young people sentenced as adults have the opportunity to petition for resentencing after 15 years. This law is currently under threat as legislators have targeted DC’s autonomy and sought to overturn democratically passed, evidence-based legislation.
We want to highlight just a few of the myriad ways that Free Minds members who came home under IRAA have been paving the way for true community safety as mentors, peacebuilders, neighbors, and advocates.
Free Minds member James came home in 2019 after 30 years of incarceration. Since coming home, James has:
- Worked as a credible messenger and youth mentor, doing invaluable violence prevention work to create community safety
- Worked extensively doing restorative justice with young people in the criminal legal system
- Served as a Free Minds Peer Supporter, providing essential social emotional support to fellow Free Minds members returning from prison
- Launched his own financial literacy program for youth to help reduce the racial wealth gap in DC
- Advocated for greater resources and opportunities for young people in the criminal legal system, and more community supports to prevent youth incarceration
In his rare free time, James also escorts high school students to school each morning, motivating them to learn and ensuring they arrive safely. As James shares, “Youth need someone to be there for them. I’m so grateful I can be that someone.”
10/28/2025
Free Minds member Antoine came home in 2023 under DC’s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) after serving 22 years behind bars. Through IRAA, young people sentenced as adults and given long sentences have the opportunity to petition for resentencing.
We want to highlight just a few of the myriad ways that Free Minds members who came home under IRAA have been paving the way for true community safety as mentors, peacebuilders, neighbors, and advocates.
Since coming home, Antoine has:
- Worked as an assistant curator and artist in residence at a local art gallery, where he organized multiple open mic poetry events that united diverse audiences from across the city
- Been awarded several competitive fellowships where he has been able to use his passion for the arts to give back
- Worked at a reentry organization helping others connect to city resources
- Been working at a housing program supporting people in recovery
- Regularly spoken at numerous community education and peacebuilding events, using the power of storytelling to bring people together and promote hope and healing through the arts
Here at Free Minds, we have seen over and over again the transformative impact that DC laws like the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act/Second Look (IRAA) and Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) have had on our communities. This law is currently under threat as legislators have targeted DC’s autonomy and sought to overturn democratically passed, evidence-based legislation.
Antoine shared his perspective: “I, along with countless other returning citizens, have dedicated our very lives to healing our community, not hurting it…To end IRAA would be to end redemption, guidance, and hope."
07/31/2025
https://wtop.com/dc/2025/07/it-was-a-long-journey-a-high-school-graduation-ceremony-at-the-dc-jail/
‘It was a long journey’: High school graduation ceremony held at the DC jail - WTOP News Fifteen incarcerated young men graduated from the Maya Angelou Academy inside the D.C. jail’s Correctional Treatment Facility, celebrating their academic achievements in a powerful ceremony that highlighted education and hope.
07/31/2025
Click the link to view the Past Data Response focused on Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) Eligible sentencing trends between 2012 and 2024 https://scdc.dc.gov/page/youth-rehabilitation-act-eligibility
07/31/2025
Register today for our Movement Mixer!
🗓️Thursday, September 25th
⏰ 6:00pm - 9:00pm
📍
07/30/2025
Prison reform laws could safely send thousands home — if they’re enforced For this policy to succeed, it must be implemented fairly and consistently for all who qualify.
07/14/2025
Priced Out of Phone Calls Home The FCC blocked Biden-era limits on the exorbitant rates and fees charged by prison telecom companies, leaving incarcerated people and their families to fight for state-level reforms.
07/11/2025
On June 10, Ashlei testified at the police budget hearing, advocating for a budget that prioritizes DC residents, not MPD.
Here’s what you need to know: Mayor Bowser's proposal wants a $30 million increase for MPD to hire more officers, create a new horse-mounted unit, and purchase equipment.
It calls for another $18 million to purchase an MPD fleet. This increase in funding for MPD comes despite DC being the safest it's been in over 30 years. Real public safety means investing in the things we know keep people safe like good schools, strong communities, and ecomonic security.
Funding trauma centers, community mental health crisis teams, tutors, and prioritizing reentry programs would be a much better use of that money.
07/04/2025
Are you interested in joining the next cohort of the Pivot Program? Applications are now open through August 15, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of a program dedicated to helping returning citizens succeed.
Apply now! https://bit.ly/3I98jbx
07/04/2025
Commission Meetings | scdc The Commission meets at 5 pm on the third Tuesday of every month (unless otherwise noted). Scheduled meeting dates, times, and places may change without notice. For the most current information, please review this site often. To attend upcoming 2025 monthly meetings, click here to join the meeting.....
07/04/2025
PDS offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, to observe the federal holiday of Independence Day.
Please note that while the courts will operate on a holiday schedule, Adult Arraignment Court (C-10), Juvenile New Referral Court (JM-15), and scheduled preventive detention hearing courtrooms will remain in session.
Thank you to the PDS staff who will be working on July 4 to ensure our clients are seen and supported, and to keep everything moving smoothly. We are grateful for your dedication and care.