My name is Joshua Bevill. I'm serving a 30-year federal prison sentence for a low-level, nonviolent offense. I've been in prison for nearly 15 years. During my time on the frontlines I've witnessed up close and personal the human toll of injustice, which comes in many forms.
Among many other related pursuits, I routinely write about remarkable people who help rectify injustice, as well as help shine a light on the dark corners of the American justice system.
Recently a close friend of mine told me about a man named Kevin Ring, which piqued my interest. Upon doing my research, I also learned about two other amazing people, Laura and John Arnold. And I was certain that I needed to write about all three of these inspirational people.
Established in 2010 by Laura and John Arnold, billionaire power couple from Houston, Texas, Arnold Ventures isn’t your typical philanthropic endeavor. With a mission to transform as many American lives as possible, the organization is taking a revolutionary approach, wielding data and research as weapons against some of the nation's most pressing problems.
The Arnolds, both veterans of the business world, bring an entrepreneurial spirit to philanthropy, rejecting traditional methods that lack measurable impact and focusing instead on prioritizing evidence-based solutions. Their approach, dubbed "Moneyball philanthropy" after the book on data-driven baseball strategies, prioritizes research to identify the root causes of social issues. With solid data in hand, the Arnolds can then make better funding decisions, ensuring their resources target areas ripe for systemic change.
“We understand that governments are by nature risk-averse, so we’re trying to create an infrastructure and a set of ideas that can redirect funds to be more effectively and efficiently spent,” Laura has said. “The things that we’ve done, the things that we’ve got on deck, could really be game changers.”
Instead of funding existing institutions, they focus on policy reform and advocacy in critical areas like criminal justice, education, healthcare, and public finance. Recognizing that social change requires collaboration, the Arnolds also actively work across the political spectrum, building coalitions and forging partnerships with policymakers at all levels of government. This bipartisan approach ensures the couple’s advocacy efforts have a wider reach and greater chance of success.
From FAMM to National Impact: Kevin Ring's Fight for Fairer Justice Continues at Arnold Ventures
In July of 2023, theArnolds further bolstered their expertise by appointing Kevin Ring, a renowned criminal justice reform advocate, as the Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy. As the immediate past president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), Ring brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to his new role.
Ring's leadership at FAMM since 2017 has been nothing short of remarkable. He spearheaded multi-million dollar campaigns that secured sentencing reform legislation in Washington D.C. and several states.
A respected voice on the national stage, Ring has consistently advocated for measures that prioritize safe reductions in incarceration, increased opportunities for rehabilitation, and ultimately, safer communities. His most notable achievement was being a driving force behind the groundbreaking First Step Act, a 2018 law that provided relief to over 10,000 people serving unfairly long federal prison sentences.
One might ask where Ring’s passion for criminal justice reform comes from. As a former attorney and congressional staffer, Ring has had a front-row seat to the injustices in our broken system. But it was his own incarceration for conspiracy, honest services fraud, and payment of gratuities related to an illegal lobbying scheme that solidified Ring’s commitment to criminal justice reform.
“There were many points during my ordeal – the plea negotiation, jury selection, my time in prison – when I thought, ’This process is so screwed up. If people only knew.’ But what made me realize I had to do this work was being hired at FAMM after I was released and meeting so many families whose experiences were much worse than mine. Seeing the enormous human toll. Being proximate to those being crushed by the system can overwhelm you because it is so sad and infuriating and wasteful. But it can also motivate you – because you want to do everything you can to change things.”
Ring's vision for the justice system is clear: sending fewer people to prison for shorter terms, with sentencing based on culpability, not on whether someone goes to trial. He emphasizes humane treatment and opportunities for rehabilitation for those who are incarcerated.
“When people do go to prison, I’d like for them to be treated humanely and with dignity and given every opportunity to work on whatever issues landed them behind bars.”
Looking ahead, Ring prioritizes supporting strategic advocacy partners and pushing back against the misconception that recent reforms are to blame for rising crime rates. He plans to work on bipartisan solutions across the spectrum of criminal justice reform, from public defense to sentencing to reentry.
“My top priority is to make sure AV supports smart, strategic advocacy partners to make as much progress as quickly as possible. Because of the recent rise in violent crime, we must continue to push back on the narrative that recent reforms are to blame. I think reform is the answer, not the problem. Our current justice system is not producing the safety we need nor the justice we deserve. In 2024, I am excited to work with our grantees to pass bipartisan solutions in every area from public defense to sentencing to reentry.”
A Force for Progress
Arnold Ventures stands out as a unique and powerful force in philanthropy. Their data-driven approach, unwavering commitment to long-term change, and collaborative spirit are making a significant impact on critical social issues across the United States. As they continue their work, Arnold Ventures paves the way for a more just and equitable future for all Americans.
