The Justice Fellowship, funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is a pilot program that aims to empower justice-involved individuals by recognizing and incorporating their lived experiences to envision a more equitable justice system. Participants will bring their expertise to spaces and organizations where they've traditionally been unheard, gaining insights into the criminal legal system's intricacies, organization and history. The ultimate goal is to integrate fellows into policy and program discussions — fostering a broader network of community experts ready to contribute to decision-making tables.
The initiative seeks to cultivate future leaders, dismantle the stigma of previous incarceration, and eliminate barriers to reentry, change, and reintegration. It also envisions a replicable model for broader positive change with a lasting impact on individuals and communities.
The 2024 Cohort
Following a rigorous and competitive selection process, ten exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds were selected. Their shared experience of overcoming adversity, including firsthand challenges associated with incarceration, set them apart. Despite facing significant obstacles, these individuals demonstrated remarkable resilience and gained valuable insights from their experiences. Committed to giving back to their communities, this inaugural cohort consisted exclusively of individuals with lived experience of incarceration or within the criminal justice system, poised to create a transformative and impactful change.
The final justice fellowship session took place on June 22, 2024, and the cohort is now fully equipped to undertake their projects.
Application to request a fellow's participation
The 2025 Program
The Multnomah County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) is excited to invite applications for the 2025 cohort of the Justice Fellowship!
Individuals with lived experience within the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Please choose one of the following options to submit your application:
Option 1: Apply online: 2025 Multnomah County Justice Fellowship Application
Option 2: Video or Voice Submission. Prefer to speak your answers? For each question, please record a separate video or voice message no longer than 3 minutes. If you're sending a video, we'll need to be able to see and hear you clearly.
To submit: You can upload your file, send a link (for example, to an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo video), email it to enriquer@multco.us, or text it to 971.429.7098. Alternatively, you can simply leave a voice message at that number.
Nominations
Do you know someone who would be a great candidate for the Justice Fellowship? Please contact: Enrique Rivera enriquer@multco.us.
Need Assistance?
If you require assistance completing this application or creating a resume/video submission, please do not hesitate to contact Enrique Rivera enriquer@multco.us. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to this opportunity.