Vera Institute of Justice

Sara Sullivan was a project director at Vera’s Center on Sentencing and Corrections. She lead Vera’s Safe Alternatives to Segregation Initiative, which partnered with state and local corrections officials to reduce the use of segregation/restricted housing. She also managed a national segregation advisory council and online resource center. In addition to overseeing Vera’s national efforts, Sara served as the site lead to the New York City Department of Correction and Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Previously, Sara provided technical assistance to states involved in the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, including Louisiana and Oregon, helping them implement new sentencing policies and evidence-based practices in probation, prison, and parole systems. She also provided assistance to the New York City’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining Vera, Sara worked at the Illinois Department of Corrections where she focused on reducing the use of segregation, incorporating a risk and need assessment tool into prison and parole operations, and preparing the state for the expansion of Medicaid. She also worked on juvenile justice and child welfare issues in the Illinois Governor’s Office and Defender Association of Philadelphia. Sara holds a master in public administration from Baruch College of the City University of New York, and a BA in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.