The Prison and Jail Innovation Lab (PJIL) is a national policy resource center working to ensure the safe and humane treatment of people in custody and to cultivate the next generation of justice policy leaders. PJIL serves as a bridge between academic research, practical experience, and policy on pressing matters related to independent correctional oversight and conditions of confinement—issues that are an overlooked area of criminal justice reform.
PJIL was founded and is led by Michele Deitch, a distinguished senior lecturer at the LBJ School with a joint appointment at the UT School of Law, and by Alycia Welch, PJIL's associate director and a proud LBJ School alum (MPAff, MSSW '15). They are national thought leaders who bring to this venture a combined 55 years of experience impacting policy, practice, and public perception to improve how people in custody are treated in Texas and beyond.
PJIL is also supported by a graduate student research team that works closely with the directors for training, practical experience, and mentorship to become effective policy professionals and advocates for justice reform.
PJIL draws on the best available research to reduce harm inside prisons and jails, help transform facilities into safe and healthy places that respect human dignity, and reduce the need for incarceration.
This fall, your gift will support The Humanization Project, which seeks to change the way we treat people in custody and to improve their basic living conditions,” and our Rapid Response Initiative, which allows us to quickly respond to inquiries by policymakers, the media, and advocates for information about prison conditions and deaths in custody.
One of PJIL’s most important goals is to support graduate students in law and public policy who are passionate about criminal justice reform. We will continue to provide mentorship and research experiences to students through their work on these projects.
Since launching, the support of our generous donors has enabled PJIL to:
PJIL also:
These examples are emblematic of the types of high-impact research and guidance that your gift will support. Your gift will also allow us to respond to new requests while providing students with experiential opportunities that prepare them to be future leaders in the criminal justice policy field.
To make a gift to PJIL, please follow these steps:
If you haven’t already done so, sign up for PJIL’s mailing list at www.PJIL.org to be the first to learn about our upcoming projects, publications, and activities.
We’re grateful for your support! Hook ‘em!
Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are the challenge winners for the final hours of the campaign!
Time for Another Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
Hungry, Hungry Bevo Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
3rd place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Longhorn Racing
2nd Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
Final Countdown Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: Longhorn Band Student Association $1,000 Prize
Runner-up: Women's Club Lacrosse $250 Prize
Procrastinator Gift WINNER Longhorn Racing $500 Award
6,000 Milestone WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
7,000 Milestone WINNER Longhorn Racing
8,000 Milestone WINNER Black Student Alliance
State & International Challenge Winners - Check your donor wall these have been awarded!
Leaderboard Challenge Winners - Check the challenges page wall for the final leaderboards. Prizes will be awarded soon!