Urban Rural Action and Pennsylvania Prison Society are implementing a criminal justice reform program in Adams County, PA and Philadelphia. "Consensus-Building for Incarceration Reduction: A Community Justice Program" (CBIR) brings together a diverse group of 25 community members, split between Philadelphia and Adams County, PA with direct and indirect experience with and within a criminal justice system that needs to change. The group consists of community group leaders and justice reform advocates, professionals, students, and retirees with political views across the ideological spectrum. The program is funded by the Vera Institute of Justice.

Program Goals
  1. Increase familiarity with data on incarceration rates and jail conditions in Adams County and Philadelphia
  2. Build consensus on reforms that would reduce incarceration across Philadelphia and Adams County
  3. Develop and implement county-specific strategies to reduce incarceration, improve jail conditions, strengthen re-entry, etc.
  4. Build relationships among participants through homestays, shared meals, and collaboration on criminal justice reform​
Upcoming Convenings
  1. Philadelphia on Sept. 19
  2. Gettysburg on Sept. 26
  3. Philadelphia on Oct. 11-12  
  4. Implement separate Adams County and Philadelphia County advocacy strategies during October through January​

How We Work Together
  • Criminal justice expert presentations
  • Small group discussions and action planning + report-outs to full group
  • Use of process tools to develop influence and advocacy strategies
  • Social activities to build relationships
  • External communication to amplify our impact
Adams County, PA
  • Population density: 197 people per square mile
  • 89% white, 7% Hispanic, 2% black​
  • Median age: 43
  • President Trump won 66% of the vote in '16 in Adams County. ​​
  • 75% increase in commitments to state prison between 2006 and 2015
Philadelphia
  • Population density: 11,380 people per square mile
  • 42% black, 37% white, 12% Hispanic
  • Median age: 34
  • President Trump won 15% of the vote in '16 in Philadelphia .
  • Incarceration rates in Philadelphia County have declined significantly over past several years

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