1. Engaging Unlikely Allies for Criminal Justice Reform by Sarah Turberville Senior Counsel

2. “Only one issue in Washington right now could bring together the Koch brothers’ top lawyer, an environmental activist, the former head of the NRA and Sen. Al Franken. Criminal justice reform.” --Yahoo News, Jan. 28. 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/unlikely- bedfellows-unite-on-criminal-justice-reform-230726294.html

3. Who Should You Recruit? “Formers” Federal, state, and local legislative leadership Judges Prosecutors (Line, AGs, SGs) Governors Department of Justice officials Relevant state agency officials Law Enforcement Social Conservatives Libertarians Victim Advocates Mental Health Organizations Corrections Officials Business community Other high-profile or influential individuals

4. Working with unlikely allies requires skills that are no different than what advocates do every day: networking. You will need to begin building a network of individual on whom you can call when certain issues arise: Attend panel discussions, presentations and meetings where unlikely allies will be. Scan the newspapers and media to find individuals quoted saying something unexpected and suggesting support for your position or a similar one. Keep track of influential individuals who are retiring or stepping down from certain positions; their retirement may provide them with more time to work with you and more leeway about the type of work they can do. Ask your existing contacts to use their networks to find unlikely allies. How to Find New Allies?

5. Beyond the Obvious Unlikely Allies Local. Unlikely. Outsized Influence. There may be others within your community or your state whom you can cultivate as allies. All they can do is say no, and they may surprise you and say yes.  Have they or a close family member or friend had contact with the criminal justice system?  Look for clues. Have they made public statements suggesting they favor related reforms? Monitor your local media carefully for such statements. For example, someone who has expressed concern over child welfare may be open to supporting youth justice reforms.  Work up a dossier!

6. Use unlikely allies to influence policymakers by:  Having them testify as witnesses or submit written testimony at legislative hearings.  Using their contacts with policymakers to provide you access or to have personal meetings with policymakers.  Submitting comments on proposed rules, regulations, and guidance.  Joining sign-on letters and amicus briefs with other unlikely allies. Influence Courts: Amicus Briefing How to Use Unlikely Allies: Influence Policymakers

7. Use unlikely allies to help with media and public messaging by:  Writing op-eds and letters-to-the-editor in targeted media outlets.  Pairing “strange bedfellows” as co-authors on op-eds.  Train to be spokespeople at editorial board meetings, for media interviews, or at public education events.  Ask unlikely allies to advise you on how to present your message, such as what language or examples to use, and what to avoid. How to Use Unlikely Allies: Communications

8. In Communications Acknowledge damaging facts, including the truth of a crime and the pain of victims. Advocate for justice, not just defendants. Consider the motivation of your unlikely allies and focus on where you agree in terms of policies and results; keep this in mind when drafting materials in their voice. Keep in Mind…

9. Overuse unlikely allies so that they become a “usual suspects” Use of language that appeals only to the already-convinced Use of code-words that turn unlikely allies off from your message Mis-matching your allies and your audience by ignoring the importance of geography, experience, and partisanship Ideological purity. Avoid trying to convince unlikely allies to support reform for the “right” reasons—you don’t need the same motivation to seek the same goal Putting your unlikely allies in situations where they might go off- message or be counterproductive, especially if you haven’t prepared them ahead of time Avoid…

10. Case Studies and Q&A

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