Meet Our Team!
Taj Mahon-Haft
Director & Co-founder
Father, partner, son, brother friend. Teacher and student, sociologist, tree hugger, and activist. Baseball fan, hiking nut, and wing aficionado. Giant, furry nerd. I am imprisoned now, nearing the end of a nightmare undeserved, but one that has taught me countless lessons, inspired me endlessly, and honed my drive to make change. Even my hurricane of loss has silver linings: love and purpose with full devotion. I am so much more than just behind bars, a complex, passionate, imperfect person. I demand the world see us all that way, learning to love and laugh together as humans.
Gin Carter
Co-founder
Many describe her as a source of wisdom, kindness, and calm in every situation, but those are just the tools used by Gin Carter in her devoted pursuits of a better world. A peripatetic professional Renaissance woman, she has been a change agent in conservation biology, yoga, wellness, even drum ‘n bass, before cofounding The Humanization Project to focus on reforming Virginia’s draconian justice system. Really, it has all been driven by an impassioned faith in the power of love, which is how she came to leave paradise to do this here. Love for animals and the bonds we share has now also brought her back to vet school to save and heal even more, where she also finds herself a leading voice for tolerance and progres
Savannah Reitzel
Chief Operating Officer &
Director of All Things Awesome
Savannah Reitzel’s work with THP is proof that sometimes accidents are the best impetus. Having already visited many far-flung corners of the world in seeking to improve the lives of overlooked people, Savannah has of late been working on numerous projects to improve the lives of the many underserved Virginians via both research and activism. In helping pregnant women behind bars receive humane care, her eyes opened to dehumanization in the justice system. From there, she linked fortuitously with us after finding our website and has already made that site and our voice more powerful and focused. This is but one of a dozen ways in which Savannah actively works to bring more humane treatment where it is lacking, improving individuals’ lives, public health, and scientific understanding in the process.
Shawn Weneta
Legislative Liaison Emeritus
In 2004, Shawn Weneta was sentenced to serve 30 years in the Virginia Department of Corrections. While in prison, Shawn took full advantage of his time. He tutored incarcerated men and started programs that trained rescue and therapy dogs, a recycling program, and a victim-oriented rehabilitation program for people behind bars. In April 2020, after over 16 years in prison, Shawn was pardoned by Governor Ralph Northam in recognition of his contributions to the communities of the Commonwealth, and the Department of Corrections. Upon his release Shawn began volunteering as a legislative advocate to advance criminal justice reforms in the Virginia General Assembly, passing the first expansion of earned sentence credits since the establishment of “Truth-in-Sentencing” laws. Shawn currently works as a Policy Strategist for the ACLU of Virginia, leading their decarceral legislative agenda in policy spaces like second look legislation, jail and prison profiteering, correctional oversight, restoration of voting rights, and parole reform.
Harry A. Traynham
Director of Strategy/Lead Contributor
Harry “Justice” Traynham, known to his family and loved ones as Antwan and by his friends as Justice, is currently incarcerated and has been for the past 27 years. He has used his incarceration to educate himself, become an inspiring writer, and find purpose in becoming an advocate for criminal justice, education, and healthcare reform. He is a loving son, supportive brother, nurturing uncle and trustworthy friend.