Criminal Justice & Addiction

People with criminal records and people who use drugs face similar but distinct challenges related to punitive policies and stigma. We work to enhance public safety and public health and find better ways to serve these populations. We are interested in programs and policies that reduce violence in our communities and improve the continuum of care for people who use drugs. We work to increase the impact and effectiveness of violence reduction programs and harm reduction services through research and support of innovative service models. 

We support programs and initiatives that:   

  • Focus on strategies to reduce gun violence and other violent crimes
  • Reduce the use of incarceration and reduce recidivism
  • Ensure the successful re-entry and reintegration of people with criminal records
  • Focus on efforts to reform pre-trial detention policies to reduce Baltimore City’s pre-trial detention population
  • Increase access to high-quality harm reduction services and substance use treatment 
  • Support the recovery of people with substance use disorders
  • Provide supportive housing services to people recently released from incarceration and those in recovery from substance use disorder
Program Officer: Amanda Owens

Considering Applying?

Learn more about our eligibility and review criteria, and small and regular grants processes.

See Our Grants Process

Featured Work in Criminal Justice & Addiction

Photo courtesy of the Human Trafficking Prevention Project.

Case Study: UB Human Trafficking Prevention Project

The Human Trafficking Prevention Project (HTPP) seeks to reduce the collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement for survivors of human trafficking, who often have records of prostitution or other related charges, exacerbating their victimization. With Abell Foundation support, HTPP is transitioning from a clinical law program at the University of Baltimore School of Law to an independent nonprofit organization, enabling it to serve significantly more clients.

Photo courtesy of From Prison Cells to PhD.

Case Study: From Prison Cells to PhD

Created by Dr. Stanley Andrisse, Prison-to-Professionals (P2P) helps formerly incarcerated individuals pursue higher education and reenter the workforce. To date, P2P has helped 234 individuals complete the program. Of those, 93.5% have matriculated into post-secondary education, and 70% have obtained full-time employment. Only 1.5% of program participants have recidivated.

Issue Brief: Addressing an Ongoing Epidemic of Gun Violence

The Abell Foundation invests in community-based violence intervention and prevention organizations, cognitive behavioral therapy programs targeting those most at-risk, and hospital-based violence intervention programs. Abell has also supported interventions to obtain reliable, unbiased data to support the evaluation of these interventions.

Past Grants

Learn more about our grantees and their work to enhance the quality of life in Baltimore.
Filter our past grants by year or program area, or search by keyword.

See Our Past Grants

Contact Us

Have questions or want to discuss your idea for criminal justice & addiction in Baltimore? Get in touch using the form below.

    Photo courtesy of Wide Angle Media for Charm City Care Connection.
    Additional images licensed from Shutterstock.