Laurie Jo Reynolds

Laurie Jo Reynolds is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art at the University of Illinois at Chicago, specializing in policy advocacy and social justice through art. Her work focuses on opposing systemic issues like solitary confinement, conviction registries, and housing banishment laws, particularly within the criminal legal system. She collaborates with justice advocates, formerly incarcerated individuals, and state officials to advance rehabilitative policies.

• Education: Brown University (BA), University of Iowa (MA), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA)

Reynolds co-leads the participatory project Photo Requests from Solitary and serves on boards including the Prison Policy Initiative and Narrative Arts. Her recent accolades include a $100,000 grant and an award for her work on incarceration issues.

Research Focus

Her research and teaching explore:

• Decarceration theory and practice
• Art as a tool for human rights advocacy
• Policy analysis of extreme punishments
• Community-led museum development

Awards and Grants

• $100K grant for public conviction registries research
• Award for socially engaged art project focusing on incarceration issues

Reynolds advises the YES APPLY ILLINOIS! campaign to reform invasive admissions questions about criminal records and organizes grassroots efforts like Tamms Year Ten and the Chicago 400 Alliance.