Our Vision

A justice system that recognizes the principles of mercy, dignity, and accountability and offers second chances to those who have demonstrated growth, prioritizes healing and rehabilitation, and safety over punishment.

Our Mission

The Second Look Project works to end extreme sentencing and mass incarceration in Washington, D.C. by providing direct representation, advocacy, and holistic reentry support for individuals sentenced to lengthy prison terms, acts committed as minors, or emerging adults. We fight for second chances and safer communities by centering the voices and dignity of individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system.

Our Values

  • We honor the inherent worth of every person, recognizing that people are more than the worst thing they have ever done. We treat our clients, partners, and colleagues with compassion, respect, and care.

  • We believe in the power of redemption, restoration, and hope. We work to ensure that people who have been incarcerated are given meaningful opportunities to return home and rebuild their lives.

  • Justice:  We recognize and confront the inequities and racial disparities that exist within our legal system, including the historic and ongoing harm experienced by Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities.

    Equity: We are committed to advancing a more equitable system that treats all people with fairness, dignity, and respect.  We believe that all people deserve fair and individualized treatment within the legal system. We work to address the policies and practices that contribute to mass incarceration and extreme sentencing, advocating for reforms that expand second chances and create more equitable pathways to release.

  • Our clients’ experiences, goals, and voices ground our work. We listen deeply, fight alongside them, and shape our strategies around their needs both inside and outside the legal process.

  • We hold ourselves accountable to our mission, our clients, and our community.

  • We know that transformation requires collective action. We value partnerships with directly impacted people, community organizations, law firms, and coalitions and work collaboratively toward shared outcomes.

  • We strive to build a healthy, supportive workplace that sustains the emotional and practical demands of decarceration work. We honor rest, balance, and mutual support so that we can continue to serve our clients with excellence.