“We’re not violent offenders. We’re individuals who committed violent crimes. But we’re different people now.”
— Robert Barton

“We’re not violent offenders. We’re individuals who committed violent crimes. But we’re different people now.”

— Robert Barton

Everyone
deserves
a second
chance.

Everyone
deserves a
second chance.

Middle aged Black man wearing a baseball cap looking at camera with neutral expression.
Black man with short hair and beard wearing a DC sweatshirt sitting in a restaurant smiling.
Middle aged Black man wearing a baseball cap looking at camera with neutral expression.
Black man with short hair and beard wearing a DC sweatshirt sitting in a restaurant smiling.

More Than Our Crimes amplifies the voices of the nearly 200,000 Americans in federal prison — with a special emphasis on residents of the District of Columbia. While they were once convicted of serious crimes, our members are ready for a second chance to live freely and contribute to their families and society. We harness the power of their lived experience to  advocate for prisons centered on rehabilitation and — ultimately — decarceration.

Podcast

Voices Unlocked

We share unvarnished stories from inside America’s federal prison system to touch hearts and change minds.

Real Talk

Prison Pulse

On-the-ground reports by incarcerated people provide family members, advocates, public defenders and others with short, specific reports on what’s going on in federal prisons.

  • Collective punishment at Rochester

    The administration has put one whole building on a $25 spending limit for three months. In addition, all of our contacts must be removed and re-approved before we an call or email them! They are doing all of this due...

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Explore Our Voices

Prisons are erected not only to confine, but to prevent those on the outside from seeing in. Few people other than those inside have a full view of how they operate. We’re out to change that.
yellow duotone of chain link fence, surveillance camera and barbed wire fence

Dispatches from Inside

Personal narratives on life “behind the wall”

yellow duotone photo of prison cell from outside

Walk in Our Shoes

Personal stories from incarcerated residents across the United States