We invite all media and partners to follow The Last Mile’s guidelines for humanizing language when discussing programs, services, and events associated with the system of mass incarceration. Using people-first language reduces the stigma associated with being a justice-impacted individual by reshaping public perceptions of incarceration.

Language Guidelines

Returned citizen – A person who was formerly incarcerated. 
Avoid using: felon, ex con, ex convict, ex felon, ex offender 

Incarcerated individual/person or resident (of a prison or jail) – A person currently incarcerated in a prison or a jail. 
Avoid using: prisoner, offender, inmate, convict 

Justice-impacted individual – A person who has been incarcerated or detained, convicted but not incarcerated, charged but not convicted, or arrested by U.S. law enforcement.
Avoid using: felon, ex con, ex convict, ex felon, ex offender, prisoner, offender, inmate, convict

Housing unit – The space that an incarcerated person inhabits. Avoid using: home, cell 
A person with current parole or probation conditions. 

Person on parole/probation 
Avoid using: parolee, probationer 

Person convicted of XXXX – A person convicted of the specified crime. 
Avoid using: violent/nonviolent crime or offender, nouns referencing the criminal conviction (ex. murderer, burglar) 

Student/learner/program participant – A person in a The Last Mile program within a correctional facility. 
Avoid using: prisoner, offender, inmate, convict