Workshops on opportunities to get involved in criminal justice reform and in addressing the needs of those caught up in the system.

In four winter programs we learned about how various elements of the criminal justice system in Illinois and the rest of the United States contribute to putting more people in prison and in jail than public safety requires. This mass incarceration, and the life-long restrictions and control that follow, disproportionally damage the lives of people of color and contribute to a cycle of crime and punishment. We were inspired to think of ways that each of us can get involved in promoting radical change and in easing the burden of our unjust system on those who are incarcerated and those released from prison. See videos of those programs on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ZYmD3yv4fw9RsoMo1_jx a

On April 22nd, we will join with the Interfaith Criminal Justice Task Force to continue the discussion and dig deeper into understanding how we can all contribute to addressing the problems with our criminal justice system. We will meet to exchange ideas and to participate in breakout sessions focused on learning more about specific opportunities to make a difference.

We will begin the afternoon with an hour long-informal session, during which you will have the opportunity to connect with other participants and to speak informally with representatives of a dozen or more organizations who will be available to discuss the work they are doing in criminal justice reform and in service activities.  We will then separate into breakout groups to allow each of us the opportunity to join in a discussion of opportunities available to get involved in one of the areas of activity.

You will be asked to choose one of those breakout sessions when you register for the workshop.

Here again is the list of those breakout sessions, in most cases identifying the outstanding individuals who have agreed to lead them:

Reforming Bail Practices

Led by:  Emily Romulo of the Chicago Community Bond Fund

Learn about accompanying individuals in bond court and ways to support those out on bond

Advocacy

Led by:  Jobi Cates of Restore Justice and Ben Ruddell of ACLU Illinois

A primer on how to make your views known on proposed legislation, with or without going to Springfield

 

Restorative Justice

Led by:  Michelle Day and Olivia Chase of Nehemiah Trinity Rising and Cliff Nellis of the North Lawndale

Restorative Justice Hub

Learn more about restorative justice process and how to get involved in helping to realize its potential

 

Learning From Those Who Served Time

Led by:  Budder Jones of Inmates for Change and Fahmi Jones of  Families and Prisoners United           

Discussion of how to support the efforts of groups led by former prisoners who are working to help other returning

citizens

 

Job Training for Returning Citizens

Led by:  Brian Kenner of Safer Foundation

Volunteer opportunities in efforts to provide job training for returning citizens

 

Other Reentry Support

Getting involved in mentoring and other volunteer opportunities with organizations providing housing and other support services to

returning citizens as they work to rebuild their lives

 

Prisoner Support

We have invited Jennifer Vollen-Katz of The John Howard Association to lead this session.

Learning about opportunities to make a big difference in the lives of those who are incarcerated in an Illinois prison or in the Cook

County Jail by activities such as helping the John Howard Association with various tasks, or becoming a pen pal with a prisoner.

 

Intensive Prisoner Support Activities

We have invited Karen Mooney of The Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministries of Illinois and Robert Vicary of The Illinois

Department of Juvenile Justice to lead this session.

Learning about opportunities for more intensive involvement such providing training courses or conducting religious services in a

prison or in the jail.

 

Organizing Congregational Activity

Leaders to be announced

This session will involve a lively discussion about mobilizing congregations for involvement in criminal justice issues.

 

Hosted by St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church, 1424 N. Dearborn St, Chicago:

 One block east of CTA Clark Street bus (Schiller Street stop) and a brief walk from CTA Red Line (Clark & Division station).

 Paid public parking available at 1250 N. Dearborn, 88 W. Schiller, 1455 N. Clark, 1325 N. State, 1560 N. Sandburg Terrace.

Register online without charge at: https://goo.gl/forms/QJD0u6vpbLkNMrN32

For issues with registration or other questions, contact Nick Cade at nwcade@gmail.com