Insha Rahman

Insha Rahman is the Vice President of Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice and also serves as the Director of Vera Action, its independent 501(c)(4) sister organization. In these roles, she leads the development of advocacy priorities and campaigns, working with governments and communities to end mass incarceration, defend immigrants’ rights, ensure dignity behind bars, and strengthen communities so they can thrive. She also oversees place-based initiatives in California, Louisiana, and New York, driving local reforms that align with broader national goals.  Rahman is nationally recognized as an expert on criminal legal reform. She has been featured as a trusted voice in leading publications and media outlets, including NPR, The New York Times, City and State, Mother Jones, PBS’s MetroFocus, and The Nation. Over the past year, she has played a leading role in shaping conversations on safety, accountability, and justice, while directly challenging outdated “tough-on-crime” rhetoric, especially during election seasons. At the 2024 Masters of Scale Summit, she spoke about the failures of punitive policies. She shared her vision for a justice system rooted in rehabilitation, restorative approaches, and investment in communities. Rahman's path to this work began during her studies at Vassar College, where she joined a college-in-prison program. This experience provided a clear view of the failures of the existing system and the lack of real justice or safety. Learning about Vera Institute’s research alternatives to incarceration inspired her to believe that evidence-based solutions could bring change.