About Impartial
Impartial exists to shine a light on the criminal justice system holistically and, in particular, to give more exposure and support to non-profit organizations that are striving to make a difference. A key goal is enabling stakeholders (you) to identify problems you’re passionate about solving and to connect with like-minded organizations that need your help. US criminal justice non-profits often pursue fixing/improving the gaps and errors in our system.
Our ambitions for criminal justice reform are big, and achieving them is a huge undertaking beyond the scope of any individual organization, but by facilitating education (about the issues) and connection (to the opportunities for change), we think it’s possible to find creative solutions. And, through these activities, we hope you will enjoy and be inspired to be a change agent with us.
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 here, please complete this form.
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.
Impartial Activities
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.
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.