In an interview with CBS Mornings senior national security and intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge which aired on CBS Mornings, Former Ambassador to NATO Lt. General Doug Lute (USA, Ret.) and General Stan McChrystal (USA, Ret.) publicly endorsed the Safe and Fair Elections (SAFE) Pledge created by the non-profit Team Democracy.
Nation Outside supports people impacted by the criminal justice system.
Zavala is co-executive director of Nation Outside and a public voices fellow on transformative justice with The OpEd Project.
As California reexamines the impacts of criminal justice reforms like Proposition 47 and the push for new measures under Proposition 36, the focus remains on how to balance public safety with the rights of justice-impacted individuals. But what’s often left out of the conversation is what happens after incarceration.
Many thousands of individuals returning to society after prison are confronted with countless barriers — often with little support. Recent efforts to reform the justice system have shown promise, but for many formerly incarcerated individuals — particularly people of color — the reality of reentry remains overwhelming.
These challenges are compounded by systemic racism, housing discrimination and limited access to health care and employment — which are critical for a successful transition.
For those stepping out of prison after years of incarceration, the world is almost unrecognizable. Technology has advanced, opportunities are scarce and the stigma of a conviction lingers. The most basic needs, such as proper clothing, hygiene products and even a safe place to live, are often unavailable. The isolation and shame felt by many reentering society are real, and without trauma-informed peer support, the cycle of recidivism looms large.
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I know this because I’ve lived it. After my conviction in 2015, I felt like my entire career of serving others had come to an abrupt end. Iwanted to disappear, ashamed of what my life had become.
Worse, I saw that the stigma attached to my conviction extended to my daughters who were in high school at the time; they carried the burden of my label as well. The isolation was suffocating, and the fear of rejection — by employers, landlords even friends — was a constant reality.
In 2024, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, more than 1.9 million people are held “in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,323 juvenile correctional facilities, 142 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country jails, as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories.”
A 2022 report shows that the U.S. had nearly 88,000 women in facilities, and 1.14 million men. Every year, many are released to restart their lives anew. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports that in 2023, 41,174 people re-entered society after release. So far this year, 27,407 individuals have done the same.
According to 2023 research, reentry is particularly difficult due to a lack of adequate aftercare services, housing instability and limited access to employment opportunities. These structural barriers often leave individuals vulnerable to recidivism, as they struggle to reintegrate into society without the necessary support systems.
Recent research in the International Journal of Law and Politics Studies shows that the emotional, psychological and societal barriers — isolation, stigma and a lack of familial support — make reintegration especially challenging.
For me, the desperation to keep my job made me vulnerable in ways I hadn’t imagined. After my conviction, a boss walked up behind me, placed his hand on the small of my back and whispered, "You're so beautiful ... so special."
The chill of fear and disgust washed over me, but what hurt the most was the feeling of being trapped. Quitting wasn’t an option — I needed that job to survive.
Living with the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction puts a person in an unprotected class. Options are limited, and it often feels like the system is built to keep an individual marginalized, voiceless, and invisible.
Everything changed for me when I joined a peer-led training program in 2022 run by people who shared my experience with the criminal legal system. In that space, I rediscovered my voice, my power and the possibility of healing.
Now, as co-executive director of Nation Outside — a nonprofit that hires only formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals — I use my story to spark change. The organization thrives on the belief that lived experience is a strength in the fight for reform.
Through the first Trauma-Informed Peer-Led Reentry Program in Michigan, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections, the model of reentry not only supports individuals navigating their new reality but fosters true healing through shared experiences.
Many reentry programs are managed by organizations that seldom hire people with felony convictions, which unintentionally perpetuates a system focused more on punishment than rehabilitation. These programs lack the deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological toll of incarceration — something only those who’ve lived through it can truly grasp.
As someone who has walked this painful path, I know how transformative a peer mentor can be. They connect with participants in ways that parole officers or traditional service providers often can’t. And when someone overcomes trauma, despite the barriers stacked against them, it serves as a powerful reminder to others that a way forward is possible.
Programs like Seattle’s Women’s Reentry Initiative have shown the immense value of gender-responsive, trauma-informed approaches. These programs recognize the unique challenges that women face upon reentry, focusing on empowerment, stability and long-term success. They don’t just address immediate needs; they lay the groundwork for women to thrive.
Programs like John Legend’s Unlocked Futures initiative further illustrate the potential for justice-impacted individuals to lead successful, fulfilling lives after incarceration. As part of his FREEAMERICA campaign, the Unlocked Futures accelerator supports formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs by providing grants, tools, mentorship and strategic support to help them build their businesses.
Similarly, while federal efforts like those highlighted by the National Institute of Justice, stress the need for reforms that ensure access to health care and housing, it's the inclusion mentorship and peer-led programs that foster true healing and transformation. For instance, the 2023 Medicaid Reentry Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity aims to provide individuals with care before release, ensuring they can succeed during reentry.
However, because Nation Outside is exclusively run by formerly incarcerated and system-impacted people, it does not meet the "provider fitness" requirements for Medicaid reimbursement under this opportunity.This creates a barrier to secure sustainable funding. A policy change would allow organizations led by people with lived experience to qualify as providers.
Peer-led models show that no one is defined by their past mistakes and that within every person lies untapped potential. These programs equip individuals with the tools to reclaim their dignity and navigate a world that often refuses to give them a second chance.
I know firsthand the power of peer-led, trauma-informed care. It’s time for policymakers, funders and communities to prioritize these programs and recognize the immeasurable value they bring.
Investing in these models doesn’t just transform individuals; it transforms entire communities. It is urgent to create a world where redemption and restoration aren’t just possible — they’re a reality.
Ransome is an associate professor of public health at Yale University and a public voices fellow with The OpEd Project.
This week, the city of Seoul, South Korea, announced it would spend $327 million to fight an epidemic of loneliness in a country where thousands of people die alone every year. Authorities plan to create a “city where no one is lonely” within five years.
America, too, faces a crisis of social isolation. As a professor who studies social connectedness and health, I find it alarming that neither presidential candidate has discussed their plans to address this national crisis. By prioritizing social connection, our candidates could avert or alleviate pressing issues, including early mortality and rising suicide rates. Moreover, a more robust social fabric would make our communities safer and more resilient in the face of increasingly severe climate threats. As we saw in Florida and North Carolina last month, our communities are stronger when we’re all connected.
Social disconnection is a public health crisis. A 2019 Pew study found that only 26 percent of Americans know all their neighbors and 58 percent have never met up with their neighbors for get-togethers or social interactions. Meanwhile, we also trust each other less than we used to. An estimated 64 percent of adults believe that “Americans’ trust in each other is shrinking.” Not surprisingly, we’re getting lonelier: In 2019, Americans spent 5.5 hours a day in social isolation, up 17 percent from 2003. No wonder 20 percent of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely “a lot of the day yesterday,” according to a Gallup poll conducted in August 2024.
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On the other hand, greater social connectedness protects our mental health and can help us live longer. A study of 72,322 women found that higher social integration was associated with a higher likelihood of exceptional longevity — measured as living over age 85. Another study showed that positive relationships with others were associated with lower functional limitations over time and a lower mortality risk some 23 to 27 years later. In Japan, longitudinal data following the 2011 tsunami showed that increased social connectedness was associated with higher individual survival.
The absence of social connectedness over time causes wear and tear on our body’s stress response and other organ systems that affect how long we live and die. One study of 6,500 people ages 52 and older found a statistically significant link between social isolation and earlier death. In short, when we do not live well together and cultivate a community ethos of social connectedness, people suffer and die prematurely.
Social isolation's effects on health aren’t just a problem among adults and older people. Our nation’s adolescents are also hurting from that crisis: some turn to social media technology to help them with connectedness, which may contribute to this teen mental health crisis and rising suicide rates, which increased 8 percent between 2008 and 2022 among youth ages 8 to 12 years old.
It’s easy to consider loneliness and social isolation as private problems with private solutions. However, local and international governments are already implementing laws and national policies to make a difference. Seoul is not the only government addressing the problem. In 2018, the United Kingdom appointed its first minister for loneliness. In 2021, Japan followed suit. In 2024, the San Mateo County, Calif., governing board recognized loneliness as a public health crisis and created a plan to fund awareness of loneliness in the county. While it is too early to determine how well these investments work, these governments have already taken an essential first step by recognizing the problem and allocating funds.
The U.S. needs similar efforts at a national level to combat this health crisis. Among other measures, the next president should establish a White House Office of Social Connection and appoint a national director to coordinate national strategies to mitigate social isolation and improve the social infrastructure of communities.
A White House attuned to the social connection epidemic could also promote strategies incorporating social connections policy into other federal departments or agencies. For example, the Department of Transportation could focus on funding systems that allow people to connect with others across neighborhoods easily. The Department of Housing and Urban Development could provide funding incentives for mixed-use housing designed to build community across age and socioeconomic status. A national service program focused on building social infrastructure would have a double benefit; research shows such programs increase subjective well-being.
It may sound naïve to call for a focus on social connection when so many high-profile issues have been debated. But attending to the loneliness epidemic could alleviate the kind of distrust and anger fueling our nation’s increasing polarization — while also reducing health care costs through relatively inexpensive measures.
For example, one study from Japan showed that the cumulative cost of public long-term-care insurance over 11 years dropped by approximately $3,500 per person among people who participated in hobbies compared to those who did not, and about $6,000 lower among people who participated in social group activities compared to those who did not. Investing in social connectedness also helps reduce the cost of premature mortality. Others showed that Japanese adults who lived through the 2011 tsunami and had a highly supportive social infrastructure — rich social ties — survived longer than others.
Investment in social infrastructure is as essential as investing in physical infrastructure for a community’s recovery from a crisis. As the dangers of climate change manifest through hurricanes and other disasters, we need investments in physical resilience and social connectedness — and we can’t wait for the next storm or massive wildfire to promote it. Our next president needs to call attention to this national crisis and take measures to fix it with a national plan. But while we’re waiting, the next time you see your neighbor, ask them how they’re doing — and remind them you’re here to help when the next emergency hits.
Voters in Baltimore, Md. enter a polling place on Tuesday.
Edwards, a Democrat from Maryland, and Wamp, a Republican from Tennessee, previously served in the House of Representatives and now are co-chairs of Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity.
At the heart of American democracy is a shared principle that has guided our nation for nearly 250 years: The people decide. Elections don’t just happen in a vacuum every two or four years. They are a collective effort requiring all of us to participate and be engaged citizens — as voters, poll workers and election officials alike.
Our elections empower every eligible voter to have a say in who will govern our republic and the policies that will shape our future. No matter your political beliefs, elections remind us that every voice matters. Take it from us — a liberal Democrat from Maryland and a conservative Republican from Tennessee who certainly don’t agree on many issues — civility and trust in the democratic process are hallmarks of self-government.
As we look back on Election Day 2024, here are seven important virtues we should all agree to in the coming weeks, months and years so our democracy remains strong and a beacon of freedom.
Democracy is not merely a form of government. It’s a partnership; it’s a verb. It’s what we do together as citizens — voters, elected officials and candidates, poll workers — to reinforce and uphold the truth that here in America, leaders are chosen by the people. Every vote helps shape and maintain a system where all people can influence decisions, not just the most powerful. We all have to participate and fulfill our role in the democratic process.
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Elections work a little differently depending on where you live, but all states take steps to ensure the integrity of the voting process. Teams of people, including Republicans and Democrats, work together at every step of the voting process to verify voter eligibility, prepare ballots and other materials, and serve as independent observers. This collaboration is essential to ensure that every vote is counted fairly and accurately, especially in closely contested races where recounts may be necessary. Mistakes and technical issues may occur during the election process, but they are caught quickly and do not significantly impact the election outcome.
Before any ballots are cast, the machines that count our votes are tested rigorously for accuracy and security. Every state must do this. Similarly, every jurisdiction has safety checks and “chain of custody” procedures to document the location and status of ballots and voting equipment so that all elements of the election system are accounted for. The protective measures don’t stop there. Every election in every jurisdiction is administered by a team of trained professionals working together and setting partisan preferences aside to ensure that processes run smoothly and that every vote is secure and counted accurately. Voters can trust these public servants to do their jobs with integrity and unfailing patriotism.
Overseas voters, including members of our military and their families, deserve to have their votes counted here at home. Uniformed servicemembers know better than most that American elections give ordinary citizens a voice that many people around the world don’t have. Any allegation to suggest that military voting is open to fraud is unequivocally false. Ballots cast by overseas voters are subject to the same rigorous security checks that protect all of our elections, and it is crucial that their voices are heard.
Before results are certified, they undergo thorough verification for accuracy. Even if a news outlet projects a winner on election night, those reports are based on partial counts or estimations of results. Nothing is final until results are certified by election officials. These officials may conduct audits to prove that votes were counted accurately and, in the case of an extremely close race, officials may recount every vote to confirm accuracy and resolve any errors. This can take time, but the public should rest assured that final results are indeed correct. Once officials can lawfully attest that the election results are a true account of all votes cast, the outcome can be officially declared and certified.
It’s important to remember that our elections are run and administered by ordinary people — they may be your neighbors, friends and family members. These public servants are committed to keeping our elections free, fair and secure. They keep our democracy running. It’s our patriotic duty to make our voices heard — and we can support our brave election workers when we exercise this freedom. Any threat or attack against the public servants who keep our elections free and fair undermines our democracy. It is simply un-American. These dedicated professionals are vital to ensuring fair elections, and they deserve our support and respect.
In a perfect world, we’d all go to bed on election night knowing who our next president will be. But we know that’s not how it works now. In our fast-paced world, it’s essential to prioritize accuracy over speed. A little patience can provide peace of mind that the results we receive are legitimate, and that any challenges to election outcomes are based on proof and adherence to the rule of law.
As we reflect upon the elections of 2024, we must remember that the strength of our democracy lies not only in its institutions, but in the hands of every one of us. For all elections in the future we must all commit to preserving our sacred experiment by supporting the election workers who keep our elections free and fair, exercising patience as results are verified and affirming that every eligible vote will be counted. In doing so, we can carry forward the torch of freedom and continue the work of building a more perfect union.
Some university leaders and professors, at places like Johns Hopkins, Stanford and Purdue, are ensuring that civics is included in the university curriculum.
Zeiger is president of the Jack Miller Center, an educational venture to advance the history, documents and ideals we hold in common as Americans.
As a nation, we are failing to prepare citizens for leadership in our constitutional republic. According to a September 2023 Pew Research Center study, 72 percent of Americans rate the overall quality of political candidates in recent years as bad, while only 26 percent look favorably on the candidate pool.
Our waning confidence in public leadership choices has occurred for various reasons. One is that many talented citizens opt out of public service for quieter, often more lucrative, vocations. There is nothing new about that. A recurring phenomenon, surely acute today, is the rancor and nastiness of our politics, which surely turns many would-be political candidates away from filing. And the study of civics has long been sidelined in our K-12 schools, depriving countless Americans of a basic awareness of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Less acknowledged, but no less consequential, is our society’s failure to prepare future political leaders through our institutions of higher education.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a leading group advocating higher education reform, published a poll earlier this summer demonstrating college students’ shocking lack of civic knowledge. They found, for instance, that most college students did not know that the vice president also serves as the president of the Senate. Almost a third of those ACTA surveyed also wrongly believed that senators serve four-year terms, and less than a third could identify Congress as the branch of government that declares war.
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The trouble goes deeper than neglect of basic factual knowledge about the American government. Students aren’t just failing to learn about how our government is structured, they’re also failing to understand why the Founders designed our Constitution the way they did. We are falling short when it comes to teaching the principles at the heart of the American experiment such as self-government, federalism, or equality and human dignity.
While many universities have emphasized experiential civic learning that exposes them to aspects of public life through programs on civic engagement, American higher education is failing to teach the core knowledge that is essential to political leadership in a free society. Political science departments focus far more on quantitative measurements of election data and political behavior than they do the teaching of wisdom about statesmanship. History departments tend to favor social history — often focused on categories of identity like race, class and gender — over political history as areas of study. Public policy courses encompass statistical analysis, economics and public policy research skills, but they tend to gloss over the ethical, historical and philosophical considerations that are important for a higher statesmanship in the policy realm. Those who aspire to political leadership roles and seek coursework on political leadership will be disappointed in the scant offerings at most universities.
If Americans wish to reinvigorate ethical public leadership and statesmanship, they must invest in the study and teaching of these subjects in our universities. The humanities and social studies are dramatically underfunded at most institutions — state legislatures, higher education governing boards and university presidents should take notice and work to change the situation. A few years ago, Johns Hopkins University President Ronald Daniels issued a clarion call to refocus our universities on civic preparation. His book was aptly titled "What Universities Owe Democracy.”
Thankfully, some university leaders and professors, at places like Johns Hopkins, Stanford and Purdue, are ensuring that civics is included in the university curriculum. And legislatures are working on this issue by establishing schools of civic thought at public universities, now in eight states. These independent colleges, department, and centers are revitalizing liberal arts education by providing additional funding to fields in the humanities and social sciences that have faced budget cuts and declining student interest over recent decades. They are built on the radical principle that, for Americans, the best civic education is a kind of liberal education.
If academic scholars in political science, history, public policy and related disciplines teach statesmanship, students will respond favorably. For example, a 2024 course at Princeton taught by political scientist Shilo Brooks, titled “The Art of Statesmanship and the Political Life,” proved to be one of the most popular courses in the entire university, enrolling 250 students. College students are hungry for the kind of education that will prepare them for leadership — their schools simply have to begin offering it again.
In times of immense political division and social turmoil, it is easy to become discouraged or cynical. But America’s future leaders hold immense promise. If we give them the intellectual tools to lead, we should have confidence that they will rise to the challenge of statesmanship in a free society.
