Insha Rahman is the Vice President of Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice. Also, she serves as the Director of Vera Action, its independent 501(c)(4) sister organization.
Insha’s Pivotal Roles at the Vera Institute of Justice and Vera Action
Rahman leads the development of advocacy priorities and campaigns for both organizations, working closely with governments, communities, and advocacy groups to end mass incarceration, defend immigrant rights, ensure dignity for people behind bars, and build safe, thriving communities.
She also manages place-based initiatives in California, Louisiana, and New York to advocate for reforms at the state level, adapting strategies to local needs while aligning with national goals.
A Recognized Expert on Criminal Legal Reform
Rahman is widely recognized as a national expert on criminal legal reform. She has been quoted in outlets such as The Nation, City and State, The New York Times, NPR, PBS’s MetroFocus, and Mother Jones.
Over the past year, she has guided a national effort to change the discourse on how safety, accountability, and justice are understood. Her work has focused on countering “tough-on-crime” rhetoric, particularly during election cycles, while advocating for alternative solutions that move beyond punitive policies.
She also spoke at the Masters of Scale Summit in 2024, where she explained the failures of punishment-driven approaches. She emphasized that rehabilitation, community investment, and restorative justice offer better paths to long-term safety and accountability.
Insha’s Introduction to the Work of the Vera Institute of Justice
Rahman’s introduction to Vera began during her years at Vassar College. While studying there, she joined a college-in-prison program that gave her direct exposure to the realities of incarceration and the limitations of the justice system. She saw how often the system failed to provide fairness or proper safety.
Through her work, she learned about Vera Institute’s research on alternatives to incarceration, revealing to her that evidence-based solutions already existed to prevent wasted human potential in prisons. That realization shaped her perspective and inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to justice reform.
Years later, Rahman considers her role at Vera a dream opportunity. She has held different positions, from leading justice reform efforts in New York to advancing national bail reform campaigns, to now directing advocacy strategies at the highest level. In her current role, she also helps others build leadership skills, ensuring that the field continues to grow through a new generation of leaders.
Prior Professional Experience
Before law school, Rahman worked as a Program Associate at Vera Institute’s Center on Immigration and Justice and later as an Associate Planner at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), a Vera Institute spin-off providing alternatives to incarceration for youth and people with mental health challenges.
She then spent five years as a staff attorney at The Bronx Defenders. Her role as a public defender gave her some of the most meaningful professional experiences of her career.
One memorable case involved representing a 16-year-old client facing serious charges while also struggling with mental illness. His mother was desperate for help, and she organized a team of social workers and mental health professionals to secure treatment rather than incarceration.
The process was not simple. The prosecutor pushed for years in prison, but she persisted through repeated negotiations. Eventually, she convinced him to meet the young man in jail, which shifted the outcome. The client ultimately received treatment instead of a lengthy prison sentence. More than a decade later, she continues to check in with the family and is proud that the young man is working, healthy, and free of further justice involvement.
Having worked in criminal justice reform for nearly 25 years, Rahman views such stories as the true purpose of her work. Each success represents an opportunity to help families, advocate for alternatives to incarceration, and support individuals in building stronger futures.
An Active Board Member in Organizations for Justice Reform, Community Involvement
Outside of Vera, Rahman serves on the boards of the Aspen Institute’s Criminal Justice Reform Initiative and Dignity and Power Now (DPN). She also chairs the 501(c)(4) arm of DPN, called Dignity and Power in Action.
The Aspen Institute’s initiative highlights innovative local approaches to justice reform that can influence national thinking. DPN, based in Los Angeles, focuses on dismantling incarceration and state violence while advancing healing, advocacy, and community-led programs. Both organizations align with her commitment to ensuring dignity and justice for system-impacted individuals and their families.
Paying It Forward: A Mentor
Rahman also prioritizes mentorship as part of her career. Each month, she conducts at least two informational interviews with individuals pursuing careers in criminal justice reform and social justice.
When she began her career over two decades ago, she did not have personal connections or advantages in the field. What helped her were mentors who generously shared advice and guidance. Those conversations shaped her career path, and today she continues that tradition. For her, mentorship is the most meaningful way to ensure others find the support they need to succeed.
Education
Rahman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Studies from Vassar College and a Juris Doctor (JD) from the City University of New York School of Law.
From her early experiences in a college-in-prison program to her leadership roles at the Vera Institute of Justice and Vera Action, Rahman has built a career dedicated to advancing dignity, fairness, and reform. With experience as a public defender, advocate, board leader, and mentor, she continues to drive solutions that focus on rehabilitation, accountability, and community strength. Her lifelong commitment reflects a vision of justice that is more humane, effective, and equitable for all.
Portfolio: https://insharahman.com/
Company Website: https://veraaction.org/
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