Johnny Perez

After serving 13 years in prison, Johnny Perez dedicated his life to advocating for those who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Today, he is the Director of the U.S. Prisons Program for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, an interfaith membership organization working to end U.S.-sponsored torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. Named one of 20 Leaders of Change by USA Today, alongside DC mayor Muriel Bowser and author Ta-Nehisi Coates, Johnny works to end the criminal legal system’s most brutal practices, especially solitary confinement. Johnny is also a member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission’s NY Advisory Committee and the NYC Bar Association’s Correction and Reentry Committee, and sits on the board of directors at the Juvenile Law Center