The Wren Collective
Reimagining the Way Our Country Approaches the Legal System
The Wren Collective works to transform America’s approach to public safety, expose the weaponization of the legal system, and ensure every person has the chance to participate in civic society. For too long, those with power have exploited the criminal legal system to take away the rights of marginalized communities, people of color, immigrants, and increasingly, their political opponents.
Wren pushes for a world where everyone—not just those with money and power—can live healthy, safe, and dignified lives.
Read Our Recent Publications
Wren’s twice-monthly newsletter has moved! Subscribe on Substack to learn how the state and federal governments are undermining democracy and making us less safe.
Court Decisions on Democracy
Note to Readers: Exciting news! This year the Wren Collective has moved our newsletters to Substack, creating an opportunity for you to more easily find and engage with them. This…
Read More
I wish we had been wrong: A Wren Collective 2025 Year in Review
“One thing is clear: in the years to come, we will see a lot of horrible things happen. We will see our undocumented friends deported, political prosecutions increase, and surveillance…
Read More
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Shadow Immigration Forces Threaten Police Reforms
As immigration raids sweep across the country, many of us are watching ICE and CBP agents act like a shadow police force. Agents appear free to harass anyone who happens…
Read More
The Resurgence of the Death Penalty
As recently as last year, the death penalty was in serious decline in the United States. Federal and state executions were at an all time low and public support for…
Read More
In A Democracy, Dissent Is Not Terrorism
In this newsletter, we explore how the Trump administration and state leaders are criminalizing dissent by weaponizing the DOJ, ICE, and other law enforcement tools at their disposal. We highlight…
Read More
An Honest Conversation About Public Safety
As an organization staffed primarily by former public defenders, we care deeply about crime prevention. In that work, we encountered people who caused harm and experienced harm. More often than…
Read More
Gideon Turns 60: Gwinnett County, GA
In “Restoring and Rebuilding: Indigent Defense in Gwinnett County,” Wren investigated indigent defense in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The report found that lawyers have excessive caseloads that prevent them from providing…
Full Article
Gideon Turns 60: Nueces County, TX
In “Sixty Years After Gideon: Indigent Defense in Nueces County,” Wren investigated indigent defense in Nueces County, Texas. The report found major problems with the County’s appointed attorney system. Court appointed…
Full Article
Attacks On Our Climate Are Attacks On Our Democracy
In this installment, we will focus on the anti-democratic campaign to undermine the fight against climate change. From the fossil fuel industry pushing to criminalize free speech, to officials using climate disasters…
Full Article