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Mannat Samra
Prison Reform Advocate
A WEEK OF IDEAS AND CONNECTIONS
The week will unfold as follows, with each day centered on a unique theme.
Hear from and be inspired by major icons during interviews with a diverse range of speakers who are making world-changing impact; check out the on-demand content; join workshops (known as Discovery Sessions) to learn about something new or dive deep into a topic you already love; take part in the live Q&A; and join the community chat (based on pass type — see pass details below for more details).
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Mannat Samra is a 17-year-old changemaker from India whose pioneering work in criminal justice reform is redefining how we view prisons and second chances. At a time when the justice system is often synonymous with punishment, Mannat is working to transform it into one centered on dignity, rehabilitation, and opportunity.
Through her initiative Bridge, Mannat has reached over 50,000 incarcerated individuals and their families. Her work spans improving prison living conditions, providing education and skills training, and ensuring that life after prison offers real possibilities. She has launched India’s first job portal for ex-convicts, and financed small businesses run by formerly incarcerated individuals. By combining grassroots action with legal advocacy, she is dismantling cycles of neglect and helping individuals rebuild their lives beyond prison walls.
Mannat’s leadership has earned her global recognition. She is a recipient of the Diana Award, a Global Student Prize Top 50 finalist, and has been recognized by multiple state governments for her contributions. She collaborates with leading reformers and bureaucrats, including Dr. Kiran Bedi, India’s first female IPS officer, amplifying her ability to scale impact across multiple states.
Beyond criminal justice, Mannat’s commitment to overlooked communities extends further. She leads refugee education initiatives across borders, mentoring youth through language learning, academic preparation, and holistic support. She is also a co-developer of an AI-powered surveillance system designed to protect borderland communities while safeguarding human rights, and she has championed circular economy innovations.
For Mannat, justice is not about punishing people for their past — it is about unlocking their future. Her vision is clear: to create systems that rehabilitate, not incarcerate, and to ensure that no one remains a prisoner of their circumstances, and to prevent the next victim.
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