Statement From Arnold Ventures’ Kevin Ring on National Prison Understaffing Crisis and the Launch of the Safer Prisons Campaign

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 28, 2024)– Following the Senate Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism’s hearing, ​“The Nation’s Correctional Staffing Crisis: Assessing the Toll on Correctional Officers and Incarcerated Persons,” Kevin Ring, vice president of criminal justice advocacy at Arnold Ventures, issued the following statement: 

“Our nation’s prisons are in crisis. Chronic understaffing has resulted in conditions that are dangerous for correctional staff and incarcerated people alike. 

Today’s hearing can signal a change. We are grateful to Senators Cory Booker and Tom Cotton for coming together to bring bipartisan attention to this issue. And we are encouraged that One Voice United, which represents corrections officers and staff, and FAMM, which represents incarcerated people and their families, have joined together in a new campaign for safer prisons. These groups understand that the health and safety of everyone who works and lives in prison, and in the wider community, are connected. 

If these unexpected allies can come together to make our prisons and communities safer, our elected leaders can do the same.” 

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. It is a team of more than 120 subject-matter experts headquartered in Houston with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. It works in five key issue areas: Criminal Justice, Education, Health, Infrastructure, and Public Finance. Its work is guided by Evidence-Based Policy, Research, and Advocacy.