Insha Rahman

Insha Rahman is the Vice President of Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice. 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 directs the advocacy strategies and campaigns for both the Vera Institute and Vera Action. Her leadership involves working with government officials, advocacy groups, and community leaders to drive reforms. Central to her work are efforts to reduce mass incarceration, defend immigrant rights, ensure dignity within prisons and jails, and help build safe, thriving communities.

In addition to her advocacy leadership, she oversees place-based initiatives in California, Louisiana, and New York ensuring that reforms address the specific needs of different states and communities.

A Recognized Expert on Criminal Legal Reform

Rahman is widely recognized as an expert on criminal legal reform. She has been featured as a trusted source in outlets such as The Nation, City and State, The New York Times, NPR, PBS’s MetroFocus, and Mother Jones.

Over the last year, she has spearheaded changing the narrative about safety, accountability, and justice to challenge “tough-on-crime” rhetoric, particularly during election periods, and promote more effective,humane, and  less costly solutions.

She also spoke at the Masters of Scale Summit in 2024, where she explained why punitive policies fail to deliver meaningful safety. She presented a vision built on rehabilitation, restorative justice, and community investment as long-term alternatives to punishment-focused approaches.

Insha’s Introduction to the Work of the Vera Institute of Justice

Her introduction to this work began during her studies at Vassar College, where she joined a college-in-prison program. The experience opened her eyes to the failures of the justice system in delivering fairness and safety. Learning about Vera Institute’s research on alternatives to incarceration gave her a powerful realization that evidence-based solutions could change lives. Over the years, she has taken on a range of roles within the organization, from leading bail reform nationally to directing reform work in New York, and now guiding advocacy priorities on a national scale.

She values her current position not only for shaping policy but also for helping others grow their leadership skills.

Prior Professional Experience

Before attending law school, Rahman served 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 individuals with mental health needs.

She went on to work as a staff attorney at The Bronx Defenders for five years. Her time as a public defender brought some of her most meaningful professional experiences.

One case she remembers clearly involved a 16-year-old client charged with serious offenses while also struggling with mental illness. His mother desperately sought help, and she brought together colleagues, social workers, and mental health professionals to create a plan for treatment rather than prison.

It was not easy. The prosecutor insisted on a lengthy prison sentence, but she persisted with repeated meetings until she convinced him to meet the young man in jail. This step helped shift the case, leading to treatment instead of incarceration. More than a decade later, she still checks in with the family, proud to see the young man working, healthy, and has not had further interactions with the justice system.

With nearly 25 years of experience in criminal justice reform, Rahman views these moments as the actual impact of her work: supporting families, creating alternatives to incarceration, and offering people opportunities to build new paths.

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) branch of DPN, called Dignity and Power in Action.

The Aspen Institute’s initiative uplifts local practices that challenge conventional approaches to justice and offer innovative alternatives. DPN, based in Los Angeles, works to dismantle incarceration and state violence while advancing healing, advocacy, and programs led by communities most affected by the justice system.

Paying It Forward: A Mentor

Mentorship is a consistent part of Rahman’s work. She conducts at least two informational interviews every month with people interested in pursuing careers in criminal justice reform or social justice.

When she started her own career more than two decades ago, she had no personal connections in the field. What helped her succeed were mentors who shared their time and advice. Those conversations helped her find her path, and today she provides the same support for others. She sees mentorship as one of the most important ways to give back, ensuring new advocates have guidance as they build their own careers.

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 as a student in a college-in-prison program to her leadership roles at the Vera Institute of Justice and Vera Action, Rahman has built a career defined by fairness, dignity, and reform. With years of experience as a public defender, advocate, board leader, and mentor, she continues to push for solutions that emphasize rehabilitation, accountability, and community investment. Her lifelong dedication reflects a vision for a justice system that is more humane, effective, and equitable for all.