21Feb, 2025
2024 Year-End Report – National Incarceration Association
We made massive progress in 2024 toward our goals! Check out our 2024 year-end report to see what we've done and where we are headed!
About Us
The National Incarceration Association (NIA) was born from the personal story of its president and chief executive officer, Kate Boccia and her husband Frank. Their son Daniel spent years incarcerated in a medium security prison in Georgia. Daniel fell into an all-too-common spiral of drug addiction despite the best imaginable parenting efforts and an otherwise stable upper middle-class suburban Atlanta environment. Kate openly reflects on that moment of the night they first received “the call” alarming them that their child had been arrested. Her “journey” was suddenly the same as a growing quiet number of tens of millions of American families.
FAMILIES CHANGE
the moment they receive THE CALL...
↓
MONTHS PASS
and the family realizes that the shock and trauma of incarceration has to be managedbecause new questions now define their days.
↓
YEARS PASS
and the family now realizes that he might be coming home soon. Tears. Reflection. Preparation.Of course you’re happy. But your worries continue anew.
The NIA exists to make INCARCERATION = RESTORATION for all.
The family story of mass incarceration is in the center of every page of our American story. It is the story of endless journeys through failed policies and outdated norms. It’s the story of unsettled work that we have capacity to fulfill.
OUR STORY
Public Awareness and Informed Empathy Campaigns
More than one-third of all American families are directly impacted by the continual consequences of having been incarcerated. Although unknowingly in most cases, the other two-thirds are at least indirectly impacted as taxpayers, business owners and neighbors. Effectively spreading this message is critical in narrowing public opinion gaps. It gives employers and policy makers permission to be more assertive with smarter ideas.
Partner Asset Integration Projects and Initiatives
When the NIA launches or gets involved with any project or initiative, our aim is to demonstrate how partners can work together more effectively and in ways that advance common interests and yield measured results.
The NIA formula coaches a disruption of this pattern
NIA coaches this kind of cohesive formula
Direct Constituent Services and Support Program
In the absence of systematic and comprehensive reforms to rehabilitate how offenders think and behave, this program is designed to intervene at the point of inmate and/or family outreach with a specific concern or problem. Each point of such sought-out intervention creates for the NIA a new Constituent Case File and an opportunity to help manage repair and personal development as well as facilitate resolutions.
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST
- Neighborhood-Based Pre-Arrest Diversion strategies and coordinated initiatives
- Assessment at Hearing and Sentencing for comprehensive case-managed rehabilitation
- Bail Bonding Reform to eliminate disproportionate impacts and erosion of presumption of innocence
- Automatic Record Restriction and Arrest Record Expungement when deemed safe and appropriate
- Corrections Facility Reform and rethinking current relationships with Private Prison Contractors
- Strong review of the need for Mandatory Minimums in that such undermines problem resolution
- Community-Centered Family Restorative Justice Centers with practical wrap-around services
- Reasonable Housing for All and Neighborhood Assimilation where screened to be appropriate
- Elimination of Voter Disenfranchisement in that such has no correlation to public safety
- Decriminalizing Mental Illness and Adjudicating Drug Addiction Behavior as Symptoms of Disease
MISSION & VISION
To help families navigate the journey of incarceration with positive outcomes, and to push innovations throughout justice systems to correct, rehabilitate, cure and restore, for greater public safety for all.
Our vision is that the justice and corrections system of the United States becomes a system of dignity, safety, and progressive personal improvement for all involved.
GOAL 1
End the absurd economic and social cost of mass incarceration as we know it from the perspective of families and community.
GOAL 2
Build models of resolution and rehabilitation to change mindsets and behavior for the better public interest and safety.
GOAL 3
Help integrate the actions and assets of stakeholders in the pursuit of evidenced-based solutions to reach visible results.
DRIVEN BY CORE VALUES
EMPATHY
The demonstration of respect and caring about the plight and circumstance of those whose lives and personal stories are different from others.
DILIGENCE
The focused pursuit of right, fairness, justice and innovation, without tiring, slowing down or conceding to difficulty.
RESPONSIBILITY
The demonstration of steadfast loyalty to the NIA mission and the commitment to be transparent, accountable, ethical and professional in doing this work to change lives.
PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP
Kate Boccia
Chief Executive OfficerShe developed the first Citizens Advisory Panel for Georgia Department of Corrections which set the tone for her work in launching the NIA. Never settling for a passive answer to a challenging question she continues to push innovations in systems that impact families. LEARN MORE
Roland Washington
Chief Operating OfficerHe’s a public policy consultant and social innovator with more than 32 years of experience in building operational and management systems, and leading community interests in a number of social impact campaigns and initiatives.
STAFF
70% of NIA Staff, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council have lived the experience of being incarcerated or shared that experience with an immediate family member. More than 90% of us have devoted most of our working years to justice and social reform.
Randy Carpenter
Chief Information Officer
Paul Wolfe
Director of Corporate Relations
Claudia Zimmermann
Director of Grants & Compliance
Markieta Williams
Director of Volunteer Recruitment
Andrew Curtin
Marketing Director
Jessie Mabrey, CPS-MH,FPM,CPS-AD
Program Development Manager
Diana Ashworth
CPR Intake Manager
Linda Beaulieu
Special Projects Manager
Dr. Kelly C. Dreger
Executive Actions Coordinator
Jenna Bailey
Executive Media & Content Coordinator
Henry Schultz
Associate Editor
Brittany Samuels
Re-Entry Administrative Assistant
Mark Samuels
Transportation/Program Specialist
Thomas Sachy
CPR Data Entry Specialist
Shante Mottley
Senior Housing Manager
Chrystal Brown, Ph.D.
Crisis Stabilization Specialist
Michelle Boatright, CS-MH, CS-AD, CPS-WH, FPM, CAMS, CARES
Case Management Coordinator
Rev. Dr. Willie Alfreida Capers, MPA, MDIV, DMIN
Reentry Resources Ambassador
Karen Daniel, BEd; MEd; CARES-AD
Case Management Coordinator
Terence Franklin
Case Management Coordinator
Maqueta Roberts, MSW, MCJ, LCDC-I
Case Management Coordinator
Stacy Hurd Allen
CPR Intake Coordinator
Ladji Ruffin
Case Management Coordinator
Chris McCall
Research Analyst
Melisa Dexter
Case Management Coordinator
Gardyney Deshommes
CPR Intake CoordinatorBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Burrell Ellis, Esq.
Board of DirectorsAttorney and Systems Reform Activist. Former twice-elected CEO of one of the largest counties in the state of Georgia. Former President of County Executives of America, Southeast Region Director, of the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Chair of NACo‘s Large Urban County Caucus
LeAnne Jackson, J.D.
Board of DirectorsA trust and assets management expert, proficient in insurance and multibillion dollar investment strategies, as well as code compliance, settlement negotiations and resource connectivity.
Karen James
Board of DirectorsPolicy reform advocate with more than 33 years of federal government administration and human resources experience. An EEOC specialist that co-manages public affairs for the NIA.
Monikah Marshall
TreasurerTreasurer & CFO, and a partner with DV Marshall & Associates, LLC., with more than 20 years of tax accounting and paralegal experience
Tiffany Kirk
SecretaryExecutive Director of Common Good Atlanta and Founder of Project Restart; her focus is on providing higher education opportunities for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people along with financial education and entrepreneurship training to promote professional development
Janis Mann, Esq.
Board of DirectorsAttorney at Law; founder of the Mann Law Group, former Georgia Public Defender, National and Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Member
Beverly Martin
Board of DirectorsRetired as a Judge on the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit where she served for 11 years. Former US District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, US Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, and former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia
Christopher O’Neill
Board of DirectorsA corporate client services manager and a responsive advisor to many advocates and initiatives in the reform and reentry space. An exemplary model of the value of prison education programs to society and local economies, Chris continues to be an essential connector of people and business development resources.
Sona Nast, LCSW, LSOTP
Board of DirectorsSocial Worker, Family Sustainability Activist and Specialized Treatment Professional for the incarcerated
Richard J. Randolph III
Board of DirectorsManaging Member of Noble Management Holdings, founder of The Randolph Foundation, and an expert market navigator with a comprehensive background in high-level finance and complex financial structures, mergers and acquisitions, strategic real estate development, and venture opportunities across several business sectors.
Randy Shearer, Major, USAF (retired)
Board of DirectorsRetired Major, USAF, former Director of Contracts for the U-2 Aircraft Manufacturing, a $700m public-private enterprise, and founder of American Defense Group, Inc. A business development and government relations expert who has built multiple consulting firms, and managed the strategic growth of several business ventures.
Truth Graf
Ex-OfficioSecretary & Director of Public Relations, and an activist and advocate for social justice with more than 30 years of radio, television, film and print media.
Daniel Boccia
Board of Directors Emeritus - PosthumouslyWhole-Way Housing was first conceptualized by the late Daniel Boccia, who in doing so proudly referred to himself as “President & CEO, Felon, Returning Homes, LLC.” Daniel scoffed at the common idea of “half-way” housing that signals (he felt) to the human that only part of what is needed could be expected
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Amanda Cryer
Advisory CouncilA social impact entrepreneur and acclaimed filmmaker focused on transforming criminal justice stereotypes and illuminating the tragic reality of the prison industrial complex. Amanda is the co-founder of Big Change Makers, LLC
Kit Cummings
Advisory CouncilActivist, Conflict Mediator, Author, Founder &President of the Power of Peace Project (“POPP”)
Gary R. DuBose
Advisory CouncilAn Empowerment Advocate-Adult Reentry at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Certified Court Manager, Business Management and Implementation Specialist, who brings special problem-solving expertise to complicated workforce development challenges.
Javar Godfrey, MSSW, DMin. - The NIA
Advisory CouncilA globally recognized speaker, educator, and emotional health expert with more than 15 years of experience as a social worker helping school systems and thousands of families navigate emotional wellness and mental health. With his signature emotional health education curriculum, he has worked alongside major organizations, professional athletes, universities, and corporations, and has been featured on CBS News and TED Talks.
Billy Joe Holmes
Advisory Council“Big Billy” as he is widely known, is a business owner and frequently requested speaker to audiences across several states against systems that fail to correct and rehabilitate.
Susan Jacobs-Meadows
Advisory CouncilDirector, Canine Cell Mates; Fulton County’s Jail Dogs Program
Monalisa Johnson
Advisory CouncilReform Advocate and Founder of Parents with Incarcerated Children, Inc., owner of Sierra Productions, an audio/video & production logistics company, featured star of the A&E Production “60 Days In”
Sarah Lageson, Ph.D.
Advisory CouncilSociologist and Assistant Professor; Rutgers University-Newark School of Criminal Justice. Published researcher and grants recipient examining social and behavioral sciences; the criminal justice system, technology, inequality, crime data accuracy and “digital punishment”
Sandi Langley
Advisory CouncilSenior business consultant specializing in ERP system implementations. Advisor to Restart Coweta, an organization which serves those affected by homelessness. Former Director of International Internship Program, serving Children at Risk in Latin America and Eastern Europe. Recipient of the US Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Active member of local recovery community.
Angela H. Marshall
Advisory CouncilFormer Adjunct Professor, Essex County Community College and Special Instructor of Rutgers University’s NJ STEP Program for Edna Mahan Correction Facility for Women, more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement, workforce development, criminal justice programs management, community corrections and reentry.
Cynthia Webb McGarity
Advisory CouncilJustice Reform advocate, business owner and manager. Long-time community organizer, founder, and Executive Director of Rehoboth Family and Community Services for justice impacted families.
Keesha Middlemass, Ph.D.
Advisory CouncilBrookings Institution Fellow and an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Howard University. Author of the award-winning book, Convicted & Condemned: The Politics and Policies of Prisoner Reentry. Widely published researcher of lived experiences and policy analyses to develop policy alternatives.
Jose Morales
Advisory CouncilRetired Army Airborne Infantry and retired 22-year veteran of Georgia Department of Corrections. Long-serving warden of several prisons including Georgia's highest Maximum Security facility, and now a committed advocate for systems reform.
Renwyck Randolph
Advisory CouncilProfessional project manager and business analyst with significant experience in gap analysis, asset acquisition, and customer relations. Especially critical for this phase of NIA's strategic development to help focus features of planning implementation with traction measures.
Sheri Ray
Advisory CouncilCertified addictions counselor and the director of the Get Well Health Intensive Outpatient Program for all of Kentucky and Indiana. A former maximum security corrections officer, deputy sheriff and lead emergency response team negotiator, Sheri was also a featured star of the A&E production "60 Days In."
Kathryn Rice, Ph.D.
Advisory CouncilAn advocate for social equality, and founder of Building Quality Communities, which specializes in community and economic development. Adjunct graduate studies professor of Research Methods at Troy University.
Carl Jamal (CJ) Rumsey
Advisory CouncilUrban ministry and social reform activist. Founder of The Prayer Plug ATL and in alliance with the renowned Maverick City Music group.
Claudia Saari, Esq.
Advisory CouncilThe former Circuit Public Defender for DeKalb County, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit for 16 years, and a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers. She has served on a number of committees and boards including as chairperson for the Indigent Defense Committee for the State Bar, the Indigent Defense Committee for the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and has received several significant recognitions including the Gideon’s Promise John Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award and the Lifetime Commitment to Public Service Award by the Emory School of Law Public Interest Committee.
Rev. Jon T. Shonebarger
Advisory CouncilA veteran of the United States Air Force, having served over eight years in Strategic Air Command. Jon has been in ministry for over 40 years beginning in Omaha, Nebraska as a Volunteer Chaplain at the Douglas County Jail. The ministry would lead Jon into the pastorate, serving churches in Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and Kansas. Jon would return to Chaplaincy, serving prisons in Colorado, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Bobbie Ticknor, Ph.D. - In Honorarium
Advisory CouncilAssociate Professor at Valdosta State University whose instruction includes Seminar in Corrections, Classification of Criminal Behavior, Data Analysis, Criminological Theory, and Research Methods. Remembering the life of Bobbie Ticknor
Joey Villemez
Advisory Council Chief Analytics & Policy OfficerFounder & President of Probation Information Network, a comprehensive resource for federal defendants. Consultant, researcher, and presenter specializing in the federal criminal justice system and the collateral consequences of conviction.
EveLyn Wedge, Ph.D., LPC
Advisory CouncilPsychotherapist, Infant/Early Childhood Family and Parenting Specialist, Advisory Council member of The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, Founder and Director of The Early Years Matter, LLC, and founding board member of the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health, Birth to Five.
Noni Whitley
Advisory CouncilA real estate management and capital venture entrepreneur with years of expertise in developing property acquisition strategies for enterprise sustainability. She now devotes her passion-driven work to justice reform advocacy and community development.
Anthony Wilson
Advisory CouncilAdvocate. Joyful Disruptor. Educator. Founding Executive Director of Equity in Education, an advocacy organization focused on supporting bold, equity-centered leaders to run for public office and deliver justice for our littlest Atlantans.
Roderick L. Wyatt
Advisory CouncilHR and Workforce Development professional with over 20 years of progressive experience in employee relations, employment law, public-sector agency management, recruitment, training, and organizational design.