About Impartial
History
The root of Impartial began during founder Diane’s own prosecution, when honest conversations with defense attorneys, clerks, law students, and others revealed a hard truth: many of the people working inside the justice system felt stuck. They believed in fairness, but often felt powerless, resigned to mindsets like “this is just how it is” or “I can’t change anything.”
Through this experience, Diane saw just how flawed and rigid many long-held beliefs about the U.S. justice system truly are.
Justice demands more. It requires a system grounded in shared values, where laws are applied fairly, people are held accountable, but never beyond what is just.
Impartial is built on the belief that real justice must begin from a neutral place. While many people care deeply about reform, they’re overwhelmed or unsure where to start. A new generation is ready to lead change, but needs the right tools and support to act.
Impartial is more than an organization; it’s a movement for fairness. A growing community where people take responsibility, challenge what’s broken, and build something better together. Because sometimes, reclaiming our own humanity starts with stepping up for someone else’s.
Impartial Timeline
2025
Donated 13 pieces of artwork to a pre-Grammy gala to help LA firefighters
Impartial launched new community membership in May
Impartial featured in NC Attorney at Law magazine for prison artwork program (March)
Founder makes a presentation of an interactive prosecution at the ACJS National Meeting
2024
Impartial began working with NCSU’s Capstone program on developing our video game series
Impartial begins to stock artwork merchandise at the NC Museum of Art
Impartial builds an e-commerce shop for artwork merchandise
Impartial featured in NC Attorney at Law magazine for prison artwork program (Nov)
Diane Wells, founder, featured in Duke’s RAILS.legal program
2023
Impartial joins the NC Prison Legal Services on our first artwork exhibit, “Unschackled”
Impartial joins the Durham Art Guild for an art Exhibit
Impartial’s first corporate donation
2022
Impartial began to collect prisoner artwork
Impartial began to recruit volunteers and interns
Impartial began development of our first criminal justice video game
Oct 2021
Impartial was founded and established as a 501c3 non-profit organization
Programs
Prison Artwork
We believe in the therapeutic benefits of art done by prisoners, and appreciate the raw emotions and stark beauty that often shows through. Impartial has an ongoing program to build and maintain relationships with inmates, their families and others to encourage artwork, and try to support them in any way we legally can.
Artwork is a very important avenue of expression for prisoners that choose to make it. It helps share their stories and background, deal with emotions and often explains them in ways that words fail. Some have said art helps preserve a sense of identity, sanity and self that the dehumanizing experience of being incarcerated and referred to as a number strips away.
We have acquired a substantial collection of prison art that we use for many purposes, including publications, exhibitions, fund-raising through sales/auctions, and occasional loans to galleries and other public spaces. Many of the images you see on this site were created by inmates, and are from our collection. Most art done by prisoners is self-taught.
Community
Before Impartial took form, a vision existed, one centered on community as the catalyst for change. The Founder understood that transforming the criminal justice system required more than technology or policy; it needed the collective wisdom of diverse voices united by purpose.
The All Rise Community (ARC) was envisioned as an organic movement where knowledge would flow in all directions. Its name symbolizes the upward trajectory toward a better system that all members know is possible.
Within this community already lie answers to questions not yet asked. There is data, resources, and ideas waiting to fuel innovation in ways still unseen. What makes the ARC special is its foundation in belonging. It is a space where people can bring their authentic selves and feel valued.
As the community takes its first steps, its potential unfolds. Together, following this upward arc, members will rise toward a more just and humane criminal justice system, transformed by their collective power and shared vision.
Criminal Justice Video Games
Enter the world of criminal justice through “Justice Well-Played,” a groundbreaking 9-part game series based on a real prosecution. Follow a case from investigation to sentencing, making crucial decisions that determine a defendant’s fate. Experience firsthand the responsibilities carried by participants in our justice system.
As you navigate this journey, confront the real challenges of criminal proceedings. Who holds power at each stage? Does “innocent until proven guilty” truly prevail? Stepping into different roles, you’ll face ethical dilemmas and discover the competing agendas that influence legal outcomes. This experience reveals not only how our system functions but invites you to imagine how it might improve.
What if certain laws were reformed? What mindset shifts might transform our approach to justice? How would you want the system to operate if you were the defendant? After developing six episodes, we’re creating demos and testing, preparing for a full series launch in 2026. Join our community today to help reimagine criminal justice through the power of play.
Publishing
Investigative Journalism
Our investigative writers take deep dives into topical criminal justice issues and events, as well as important subjects that others haven’t yet covered.
We go straight to the source(s), talk to experts, look at the data, cover all points of view, examine trends, try to uncover solutions to problems, compare the status quo to what could be, and explore alternatives objectively. We aim to be exhaustive in our coverage, and expose new facts that could change the way you think.
Analysis, Ideas, Opinion & Musings
Freeform and expansive thought, encompassing every aspect of justice before, during, and after the commission of a crime including prevention, government, police training, bail, systemic bias, sentencing, rehabilitation, inmate reentry to society, education, the role of money, the legal code, and literally anything that impacts victims, criminals or the accused. We look at policing, the courts, legal practices, prisons, victims, the accused and more, aiming to challenge and present fresh ways of looking at problems and solution.
These articles consider the core values of criminal justice, offering perspective and analysis, commentary on current events, as well as identifying issues, constraints and assumptions that get in the way of improving the system.
Prisoner Stories
Most of us understand little about the daily life of prisoners, what they are doing to improve themselves or make restitution to those they’ve hurt, or the dehumanizing and often violent things that happen on the inside. We know even less about the journey from being accused to incarceration to what happens when they are eventually released.
We aim to shine some light on the whole process and let prisoners tell their own stories. We also look at the programs in place for education, the arts and rehabilitation.
Impartial exists to shine a light on the criminal justice system holistically and, in particular, to give more exposure and support to advocates and non-profit organizations that are striving to make a difference. Our ambitions for criminal justice reform are big, and achieving them is a huge undertaking beyond the scope of any individual organization. We think it’s possible to find creative solutions.
We hope you will enjoy and be inspired to be a change agent with us.
Donors
Donors energize our mission with both resources and shared commitment to our values. Their continued partnership helps us expand our reach while we build sustainable foundations for long-term impact.
John Kane
Kane Realty Corp.
Beneficial State Bank
Gerry Komlofske
Komlofske Foundation
Chick-Fil-A
Corporate Membership Sponsorships
Corporate sponsorships with Impartial fund critical support for law students and young legal professionals transitioning through critical, pivotal career stages, ensuring the next generation of justice-focused talent can thrive. When a corporation sponsors a membership for a young law student/professional, the individual gains tremendous connection in the community, has a space to constructively express their concerns, learns how they can make a justice impact, and your company will be able to take the credit for the support you are giving to the next generation of justice leaders. (link to form)
Criminal Justice Non-Profits Partners
In addition to raising awareness for the many non-profit organizations working in criminal justice, Impartial provides direct support through funding approved criminal justice non-profits. Funding is a direct result of unique products/services that Impartial offers based on listening and asking questions to like-minded people. Prison artwork is an example of this approach. Generally, we donate a minimum of 40% of the net proceeds from a sale to the criminal justice non-profit the customer chooses.*
All of the approved non-profits on our website are 501(c)(3)’s in good standing with the IRS, with a mission that includes US criminal justice, who have been nominated by someone, and have gone through a vetting process to ensure their activities fit with our mission. If you’d like to nominate a Criminal Justice Non-Profits for inclusion: Please Reach Out to Us.
Click on the logos below to learn more about the mission and activities of the Criminal Justice Non-Profits that Impartial supports
*We do not guarantee sales or donation amounts.
Board of Directors
Matt Cassar
Lissa Johnsen
Gerry Komlofske
Diane Wells
Board of Advisors
B. Randall Willis
