Promise of Justice Initiative

10/28/2026

Louisiana’s callous disregard for freedom and its agreements with individuals and the public remains a crisis in the state and underscores another reason why is the incarceration capital of the world. Thousands of people are held captive each year, sometimes for days, weeks, and even months while their families are left waiting for their loved ones to come home. This is why we filed a new class action lawsuit, against the DOC on behalf of people who were illegally imprisoned beyond their lawful release dates.⁠

Read more about this litigation via Law 360's reporting on the litigation by clicking here: https://www.law360.com/articles/2518989/inmates-sue-la-doc-over-systemic-overdetention

10/27/2026

prosecutors have the power to seek the death penalty as punishment. In Louisiana, they have used that power aggressively for decades applying for death warrants resulting in a reversal rate of more than 80% due to District Attorney (DA) misconduct and other problems. This clearly illustrates that the death penalty is an imperfect process that requires perfection from the DAs calling for the death of someone.

We're ONE WEEK AWAY from Election Day with today being the last day of early voting! Learn more about how DAs influence the criminal legal system and the state legislature by reading through our zine on DAs, District Attorneys & Unchecked Power here: promiseofjustice.org/reports

10/26/2026

There's one day left for early voting! Every District Attorney (DA) is up for re-election on Election Day, November 3. DAs hold immense power in the criminal legal system and our legislature.⁠ Join us tonight at 6PM for our webinar on the unchecked power of Louisiana District Attorneys. Register here: bit.ly/dykyda1026

⚫️ What: The Power of District Attorneys in Louisiana Teach-in ⁠
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🟢 When: Monday, October 26 at 6PM ⁠
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⚫️ Where: bit.ly/dykyda1026

10/24/2026

Tasha is our Administrative Coordinator. Her work is on the frontline of the office’s activities, fielding distressed phone calls from prisons, triaging issues from the public, and keeping the office infrastructure on track. One thing’s for sure, when it comes to Tasha's foot fashion, her boots were certainly made for walking and compliments from everyone who meets her.

Are you signed up for our monthly newsletter? Read similar stories and other updates in our November newsletter by using the following link to sign up: promiseofjustice.org/signup

10/23/2026

Get an early look at the PBS documentary series, Crime and Punishment in America this Wednesday in our Promise Garden space. Limited seating, so please RSVP here: bit.ly/nxt250

How did the United States become the most punitive nation on Earth? And what does that history mean for Louisiana today?⁠
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We've teamed up with our partners at The Just Trust for a free screening of Crime and Punishment in America, the new PBS documentary series from Lynn Novick, executive produced by Ken Burns and Sam Pollard. Join us in the Promise Garden on WED, 10/28 and you'll get an early look at the film before it premieres nationally on November 16.⁠
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At PJI, we fight for the dignity, freedom, and autonomy of people targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration. We hope you'll join us for a meaningful night of learning and conversation. Seating is limited, so please RSVP here: bit.ly/pjinxt250

10/22/2026

despite a US Supreme Court decision, Batson v. Kentucky, a prosecutor could potentially strike or eliminate a potential juror from a case because of their race? These eliminations are called "peremptory strikes" and both The LA. Supreme Court and US Supreme Court have ruled against Louisiana prosecutors and judges many times when they have clearly struck Black jurors because of their race.⁠
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Early voting ends in FIVE DAYS on Tues, 10/27 with all of Louisiana's District Attorneys (DAs) up for election on Election Day, 11/3. Learn more about the power of DAs during our 10/26 webinar, The Power of District Attorney's in Louisiana. Register in advance (strongly encouraged) by clicking the bit.ly/dykyda1026

10/21/2026

Early voting is now underway – through Tuesday, 10/27 – with every District Attorney up for election. Missed last week's webinar on District Attorneys and the abundant power they have within the criminal legal system? Register using the following link for the next webinar on Monday, 10/26: bit.ly/dykyda1026

in Louisiana from 1989 - 2023, District Attorneys (DAs) withheld evidence in 65% of cases where people were eventually exonerated.

Early voting begins today through next Tuesday, 10/27 with all of Louisiana's District Attorneys up for election this year. Understanding that they are both elected officials and among the most powerful actors in the criminal legal system, we considered this an opportunity to get the word out about the role of DAs and how they use their power before, during, and after a defendant’s prosecution.

🟢: Read more about DAs in our new zine, District Attorneys & Unchecked Power here: promiseofjustice.org/reports

🟢: Then, take a deeper dive into what you read in the zine by registering for this Monday's webinar here: bit.ly/dykyda1026

10/21/2026

Last week's screening of "Plantations and Prisons: A History of Forced Labor in Louisiana" at Yale was very special. Sponsored by the Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law, students and professors stayed engaged throughout the entire even. The post-film discussion moved from the laws associated with forced labor in prisons to the way storytelling and the importance of bringing bright colors into dark places.

As always, thanks to Professor Andrea Armstrong and Terrance Winn for their thought partnership and being a part of the continued work of bringing PJI's End Plantations Prisons Project to audiences far and wide!

10/20/2026

in Louisiana from 1989 - 2023, District Attorneys (DAs) withheld evidence in 65% of cases where people were eventually exonerated.

Early voting begins today through next Tuesday, 10/27 with all of Louisiana's District Attorneys up for election this year. Understanding that they are both elected officials and among the most powerful actors in the criminal legal system, we considered this an opportunity to get the word out about the role of DAs and how they use their power before, during, and after a defendant’s prosecution.

🟢: Read more about DAs in our new zine, District Attorneys & Unchecked Power here: promiseofjustice.org/reports

🟢: Then, take a deeper dive into what you read in the zine by registering for this Monday's webinar here: bit.ly/dykyda1026

10/19/2026

Join us online tonight! Don't forget to RSVP here: bit.ly/dykyda1019

that in Louisiana, a person can be held up to 30 days in a jail while they wait for the DA to decide whether to charge them with a crime?⁠
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We are excited to announce our Power is Knowledge series! Power is Knowledge is a popular education project of PJI designed to build an analysis about the criminal legal system to transform the world we live in. ⁠
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First in the series is our zine, "District Attorneys and Unchecked Power," and webinar about the unchecked power of District Attorneys (DAs) in Louisiana. Every DA is up for re-election on November 3. DAs hold immense power in the criminal legal system and our legislature.⁠
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Register for our first virtual teach-in using the 🔗 below where you can ask questions and take a deeper dive into what you read in the DA zine.⁠
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⚫️ What: The Power of District Attorneys in Louisiana Teach-in ⁠
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🟢 When: Monday, October 19 at 6PM ⁠
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⚫️ Where: bit.ly/dykyda1019