“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world and you have to do it all the time” - Angela Davis
our mission.
Return Strong is a grassroots organization led by and for impacted people—people who are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and their loved ones—dedicated to dismantling the prison industrial complex. Grounded in abolitionist values, we work to protect the humanity of those affected by incarceration right now while simultaneously setting the foundation for a future free from prisons.
our approach.
Our approach is both immediate and transformative. We confront the oppressive conditions, toxic culture, and harmful norms of prisons head-on while driving systemic change to end the cycle of incarceration and harm that disproportionately impacts black & brown people and those experiencing poverty. By zooming in, we tackle the urgent realities faced by incarcerated people today. By zooming out, we challenge and dismantle the systems that perpetuate punishment over healing. Through grassroots organizing, empowerment-driven leadership development, and bold strategic advocacy, we build collective power to dismantle the culture of punishment and redefine justice.
in their words.
