Standing Up for Communities, Not Cages
At Sustainable Action Now, we believe in putting people, communities, and the environment before profit and punishment. One of the most urgent and underreported issues we confront is the continued expansion of jails and the private prison system across the United States. As local governments and private entities push for new detention facilities under the guise of “public safety,” we see clearly what these projects really are: short-sighted, costly, and deeply harmful investments that perpetuate injustice and environmental degradation.
That’s why we’re fighting back.
The Shift in Jail Expansion Narratives
In recent years, we’ve seen how the arguments for building new jails have changed. No longer is the justification overtly about “getting tough on crime.” Instead, counties and contractors now claim these projects are about modernization, safety, and humane treatment. But make no mistake—this is repackaged mass incarceration.
Jail expansions are still rooted in systemic inequality, racial injustice, and profit motives. And they still consume enormous public resources that should be going to schools, housing, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Lessons From the Front Lines of Resistance
Across the country, organizers and advocates are rising to meet this challenge. From rural towns to major cities, coalitions are forming to push back against jail construction, demand transparency, and redirect public funds to restorative justice and true public safety.
We invite you to read Fighting Jail Expansion: Lessons from the Front Lines, an in-depth look at how grassroots movements are confronting the evolving rhetoric of jail expansion and winning the fight for their communities.
This report highlights:
- How activists are exposing misleading jail capacity data used to justify construction
- The role of private prison companies in lobbying for new jails
- The environmental costs of massive concrete and steel infrastructure
- Effective organizing strategies to build public awareness and stop new facilities before they’re approved
These are stories of courage, strategy, and determination. They show that it’s possible to turn back the tide of incarceration and build systems that care for people, not criminalize them.
Private Prisons: The Profit Behind the Bars
Jail expansion is not just a public issue—it’s a for-profit industry. Private prison corporations thrive when more people are locked up, and they spend millions lobbying for policies that ensure just that. These companies are behind many of the recent pushes for new jail contracts, offering so-called “public-private partnerships” that saddle communities with debt and long-term obligations.
Learn more about the private prison industry and how it manipulates public policy on our dedicated page: https://sustainableactionnow.org/private-prisons/
Why This Matters for a Sustainable Future
We can’t talk about sustainability without addressing the carceral system. Jail construction contributes to:
- Environmental harm: From the carbon footprint of construction to the pollution generated by prison operations
- Social injustice: Disproportionate incarceration of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and low-income individuals
- Economic mismanagement: Diverting critical funds from social programs that prevent crime and build community well-being
Sustainable action isn’t just about reducing emissions or protecting forests—it’s about building societies where everyone has a chance to thrive. Ending jail expansion is a crucial part of that mission.
Take Action With Us
We’re calling on our supporters, partners, and fellow advocates to take a stand. Here’s how you can help:
- Educate yourself and your community using resources like Fighting Jail Expansion: Lessons from the Front Lines
- Join local coalitions resisting jail construction in your area
- Contact your elected officials and demand that public funds be invested in health, housing, and education—not jails
- Support Sustainable Action Now in our mission to dismantle systems of oppression and build sustainable, just alternatives
The Future We’re Fighting For
We envision a future where communities are safe because they are cared for—not because they are surveilled or incarcerated. Where budgets reflect our values, and justice means restoration, not punishment.
Jail expansion is not inevitable. With bold action and united voices, we can halt these harmful projects and create lasting, systemic change.
Let’s fight for a sustainable future—without bars, without cages, and without compromise.
