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#FreeBlackMamas works to bail black mothers out of jail in time for Mother's Day

Erin Evans

May 11, 2019 |

NBC News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Community organizing groups around the country have mobilized to get black mothers out of prison. The initiative #FreeBlackMamas has raised over $1 million dollars in donations since 2017 and comes as a growing response against the cash bail system. Besides bailing out black mothers, the groups seek to build community and address the larger systemic issue of race and incarceration.

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Changing How You Think Helps The Transition From Prisoner Back To Citizen

Elissa Nadworny

May 06, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Bernardino, California

For people reentering society after prison, the Reentry Initiative offers them the services and support they need. The program, housed at California State San Bernardino, provides former inmates the tools they need to avoid recidivism and rebuild their lives. Some of the classes offered are computer literacy, job readiness, and anger management – but fundamental to it all is cultivating a culture of respect and community amongst participants.

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Mississippi Leads the Nation in Criminal Justice Reform

Casey Leins

May 03, 2019 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

The state of Mississippi has taken drastic steps in reforming their criminal justice system, pointing to a nationwide cultural shift as a driving force. State legislation, such as expanding parole eligibility, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and barring licensing boards from discriminating against individuals who used to be incarcerated are just a handful of policies the state has championed. The reform has led to a prison population decrease of 11% and state savings of $46 million

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‘Returning from the twilight zone': Home to Stay offers one-stop shop for those leaving prisons

Allison Dikanovic

May 02, 2019 |

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Home To Stay, a new collaborative program in Milwaukee, WI, brings together community-based organizations, government agencies, and private employers to provide outreach and services for formerly incarcerated individuals. Once a month, services like job recruiting, educational centers, and legal help come together under one roof to give those re-entering society an accessible place to receive the support they need.

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I Served My Prison Time. Why Do I Still Have to Pay?

Courtney E. Martin

April 30, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

In 2018, San Francisco county forgave $32 million worth of criminal justice administrative fees. These fees are issued to formerly incarcerated individuals upon release from prison, most of which are not employed and without stable housing. The coalition pursuing this policy change cited economic justice for those that have already paid their societal debt and an overall state savings in collection costs as the primary reasons to end this practice.

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Yoga helps some Utah inmates find ‘the beauty and peace' while behind bars

Sahalie Donaldson

April 29, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Draper, Utah

To reduce stress and anxiety and manage anger and addictions, prison facilities in Utah are introducing prisoner-taught yoga classes. Although not without its complications, such as limited resources, prison guards have reported a change in behavior and attitude amongst the inmates, inspiring funders to invest in expanding similar programs at other facilities.

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Incarcerated Men Write the Stories of Wall City

Emily Nonko

April 29, 2019 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Quentin, California

Partnerships between those incarcerated and volunteers from the outside are crucial. Collaborations—such as the one between the Wall City magazine, the UC Berkeley, and the San Quentin Journalism Guild—make it possible for those incarcerated to have a voice. The publication of the newspaper not only informs discourse, it also serves as a way to help rehabilitate and reengage those behind bars.

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Coming home: How offender re-entry programs increase job placement and decrease recidivism

David Singer

April 25, 2019 |

WGME-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Windham, Maine

Maine's only offender re-entry program for women in Windham is on its way to replicate the success of similar programs in Texas and Nevada. Federal justice research has shown that offenders that go through re-entry programs are less likely to reoffend and more likely to hold down a steady job. The Windham program works towards this through their education program that incorporates students from local colleges as well as utilizing a collection of best practices developed by similar programs.

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“What Does the World Beyond Jails and Prisons Look Like?”

Zenobia Jeffries

April 18, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Justice Center is providing a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in the county. The nonprofit law firm provides immediate support, like paying back child support and posting the cash bail payments that keep those experiencing poverty trapped in a cycle of debt and imprisonment. The group also aims high in their larger efforts to disrupt the criminal justice system, like suing the county to prevent the building of a new jail complex, and provides their clients and the community the chance to reimagine what the city could look like with transformative and economic justice.

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Piece of the Puzzle: Drug Courts Expand Across State

Anna Berry

April 17, 2019 |

New Hampshire Bar News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Concord, New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Drug Court system – helping individuals find rehabilitation rather than prison – has proven to be a success and expanded to counties across the state. The court follows best practices from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, but also adapts each court to fit the needs of each local community. Since its creation in 2004, over 400 people have graduated from its programming – over 50 percent of its participants.

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