Mission
The Transformational Prison Project (TPP) is fundamentally committed to making the research experience one that is humanizing for all those involved, moving knowledge forward both in community and by community, and to establishing a rigorous program of evaluation to advance change.
Vision
Given historic legacies of exploitation, extraction, abuse, and misconduct that often plague research conducted with systems-impacted populations, TPP centers the lived experiences of those harmed by punitive justice, not simply as objects of data collection, but co-excavators of knowledge during the data process. This is critical to our vision of using data to advance the goals of healing, accountability, vulnerability, empathy, compassion, and the creation of a safe container.
Part of me still believe that when people know better, we do better. And for me, having clear and robust data is the first step towards knowing better. Unfortunately, the standard processes by which the “production of knowledge” occurs are often extractive, one-sided, and distanced from the complexities of the real word. Here, in our data department, knowledge is uncovered and elevated in community and by community. That is what we want to accomplish--to elevate the lived experiences of those who are experts in the complexities of their own lives.
-George Hutchins, Co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council & Circle Keeper
Current Projects
Internal
o Digital Literacy: This project evaluates the impact of TPP’s Digital Literacy program which introduces returning citizens to current technologies such as laptops, cellphones, digital applications, and the suite of Microsoft Office programs. All participants complete a baseline and endline survey to assess how their understanding and confidence with these various forms of technology has changed.
o Phase 1 Program Evaluation: Since 2020, we have been collecting data on TPP’s Phase 1-Introduction to Restorative Justice Programming. From this dataset, our team tracks how participant’s views on justice evolve after going through the circle process. These data are used for both internal and external reports.
o Event Census Project: We collect data on the frequency and amount of contact TPP has with community partners, returning citizens, and collaborators, as well as, the types of events in which program staff participate.
External
o Phase 1 Focus Group: Started in 2025, this project seeks to provide participants going through the Phase 1 program with a formal opportunity to explore their evolving views on the foundational principles of restorative justice and how these lessons have impacted the ways they show up personally and professionally.
o Academic Partnerships and Data Collaborations
Public Scholarship
o Restorative Justice Methodology/Research Methods: Our innovative view on the research process and centering the lived experience of systems impacted individuals has been accepted for publication as a chapter in a peer-reviewed, edited book collection to be published with Routledge.
o Digital Literacy: This project evaluates the impact of TPP’s Digital Literacy program which introduces returning citizens to current technologies such as laptops, cellphones, digital applications, and the suite of Microsoft Office programs. All participants complete a baseline and endline survey to assess how their understanding and confidence with these various forms of technology has changed.
o Phase 1 Program Evaluation: Since 2020, we have been collecting data on TPP’s Phase 1-Introduction to Restorative Justice Programming. From this dataset, our team tracks how participant’s views on justice evolve after going through the circle process. These data are used for both internal and external reports.
o Event Census Project: We collect data on the frequency and amount of contact TPP has with community partners, returning citizens, and collaborators, as well as, the types of events in which program staff participate.
External
o Phase 1 Focus Group: Started in 2025, this project seeks to provide participants going through the Phase 1 program with a formal opportunity to explore their evolving views on the foundational principles of restorative justice and how these lessons have impacted the ways they show up personally and professionally.
o Academic Partnerships and Data Collaborations
- World Peace Foundation
- Suffolk University
- Agncy
Public Scholarship
o Restorative Justice Methodology/Research Methods: Our innovative view on the research process and centering the lived experience of systems impacted individuals has been accepted for publication as a chapter in a peer-reviewed, edited book collection to be published with Routledge.