Kayla James

Kayla James currently serves as a Senior Program Associate at the Vera Institute of Justice, providing technical assistance and subject matter expertise to various colleges and corrections departments across multiple states. Prior roles at the Vera Institute include Program Associate I and Program Analyst II, where Kayla played a crucial role in initiatives aimed at reducing the use of solitary confinement through policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and data collection. Previous experience includes working as a Criminal Justice Staffer at GlobalCitizen, conducting advocacy and outreach for criminal justice reform, and interning at the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, where Kayla evaluated and improved mental health practices. Kayla holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University at Albany.