Anthony Powers

Background

About Anthony Powers

Anthony Powers is a dedicated advocate for social justice and systemic reform, with a career focused on transforming correctional and reentry practices to build safer, more equitable communities. His work is characterized by collaborative efforts and innovative approaches developed through over a decade of addressing the complex challenges of the criminal justice system. As the Founder of The Redemption Project, Anthony has partnered with correctional staff, community organizations, and those impacted by incarceration to create programs that improve the environment within Washington State prisons. These initiatives, developed in close collaboration with stakeholders, have become a model for transformative change, highlighting the power of partnership and dialogue in achieving meaningful reform. Anthony’s expertise in reentry is evident in his work on Washington State’s reentry system, first piloted at the Seattle Clemency Project. This model, designed to ensure returning citizens have the resources and support needed for successful reintegration, has become a valuable framework adopted by numerous reentry-focused organizations. As the Founder of the American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), Anthony led a team—including Microsoft volunteers—in creating the first statewide, filterable Equity database for the U.S. criminal legal system. AEJG’s work also includes a comprehensive School-to-Prison Pipeline database, aimed at helping communities, policymakers, and educators understand the critical intersection between education and the justice system. Anthony’s work is guided by a collaborative approach to facility assessment, structural evaluation, and change management, with a focus on sustainable reforms that incorporate feedback from all involved parties—from correctional staff to the incarcerated. His dedication to stakeholder engagement and listening to diverse perspectives has helped identify and implement the structural changes necessary to make correctional facilities safer and more positive environments. An accomplished author, teacher, and keynote speaker, Anthony shares practical insights and data-driven strategies to advance justice reform. His contributions to the discourse on criminal justice are designed to support communities, inform policy, and inspire continued progress toward a fairer, more equitable system for all.