Angelique Thomas

Brainstormer, Care taker, Change Agent, Connector, Explorer, Performer

After years of working as a mitigation specialist and post-conviction investigator in death penalty cases, I got an MSW with a specialization in trauma and disaster response. I now work in re-entry with innocent people who served anywhere from 9 to 45+ years in prison for crimes they did not commit, helping them and their families/loved ones rebuild their lives and share their experiences. I believe my clients’ stories can change the world. I also work with currently incarcerated clients to help them maintain a sense of self, and hope, in dehumanizing prison environments. On the side, I’m a trained mediator for a community-police mediation project, run by our Independent Police Monitor. It allows community members who’ve filed formal complaints against individual police officers the option of safely working with the officer to address and/or resolve the complaint under a restorative justice model.

- Criminal justice reform - Restorative justice - Mental health treatment innovations and alternatives to traditional therapeutic models - Animal sanctuaries and animal-assisted treatment (ask me about the silly joy of keeping urban goats) - Laughing as often as possible.

criminal defense investigation, Gulf South region, mitigation in capital cases, re-entry after prison, restorative justice, trauma

When not involved in reforming the criminal justice system and helping its myriad victims heal-- I'm the costume designer for a women's satirical dance troupe in New Orleans. Hot glue guns are my secret weapon.