Impartial’s Post

"Change is a good thing. You may have to prove yourself over and over again, but even if your initiative impacts just one person, it was all worth it." - Georgia Clarke. Unlocked Graduates Ambassadors Georgia Clarke and Joshua Wainwright spoke alongside frontline officers Daniel Carcary and Paul Flisher at #UnlockedConference2024, sharing their inspiring stories of driving positive change within their institutions 🔓 Ground-breaking initiatives included establishing support networks for female staff, fostering trust, reducing violence among prisoners and more: "I set up a Female Support Network at Pentonville, where we create space to speak up about intersectionalities." - Georgia. "We're working with ex-gang members who want to make a change. The success of our amnesty boxes and the fact we've had no gang-related violence in the last 2 months shows the trust in our representatives." - Daniel. "'Pathways to Progression' gives prisoners in segregation the tools to remain on residential units, using person-centred approaches for each individual." - Paul. "We're linking the Oxfordshire community to the prison, connecting prisoners with charities ahead of their release." - Josh. Read more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/efRF7i2y #CriminalJustice #Rehabilitation #ReducingReoffending #PrisonReform #ChangeInitiatives #BeTheChange #MakeADifference #UnlockedGrads

Are you uncertain about your eligibility to vote? You may qualify if you are a: pretrial detainee convicted misdemeanant recently released from correctional facilities or halfway houses on probation, parole, or house arrest Remember to register by October 21, 2024, and cast your vote on November 5, 2024! You can register online, in person, or by mail. Need more information? Visit: https://lnkd.in/dmh5_aUw Let's ensure your voice counts! 🗳️ #ConnectionsWork #ConnectionsWorkRocks #ReadingPA #Nonprofit #VotePA #GoVote

Imagine a justice system that sees individuals not as criminals, but as people with potential. A system that recognizes the impact of socioeconomic disparities and provides opportunities for redemption. Resource-based sentencing is a beacon of hope in this direction. Let's work together to build a future where everyone has a chance to thrive, regardless of their background. #criminal #justice #lawresource #restorativejustice #judges #sentencing #supervision #legalsupport #nonprofit #crimereduction #massincarceration #criminaljusticereform #reform #realchange #TheSentencingFoundation #TSF

HM Inspectorate of Probation’s thematic inspection report explores the experiences of Black and Mixed Heritage boys in the youth justice system and is an important read. 📰 The report suggests early intervention is crucial to prevent more Black and Mixed Heritage boys from entering the system. ⚖ Many of the boys in the inspected cases faced multiple disadvantages. 60% of those who had received a court sentence had been excluded from school, half had faced racial discrimination in their life, a third had been victims of criminal exploitation and 25% had a disability. Many of these children are only receiving support with these needs for the first time through the criminal justice system. HM Inspectorate of Probation makes several recommendations to improve services for Black and Mixed heritage boys. 📑 Read the report ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eT9Tv74X #YouthJustice #BlackHistoryMonthUK

Did you know we’ve touched almost 1 million lives with our ministry efforts worldwide?  But our work is not done. The Bureau of Justice Statistics recently reported a 2% increase in prison populations in the U.S. The Prison Policy Initiative states America will spend $182 billion this year to lock up almost 1% of our overall population. These facts mean we still have more work to do – especially in the next few months. Help us meet several extraordinary expenses we’re encountering this summer, from partnering with a new app to reaching more incarcerated fathers and mothers, to establishing new ministries in Romania, East Africa, and Sierra Leone.  Read more about how you can GIVE TO GROW, to meet our special needs in the coming months: https://lnkd.in/gd9XJpRz #LifelineGlobal #IncarceratedParents #Renewal #Restoration #ParentFromPrison #Recidivism #HannahsGift #MalachiDads #Nonprofit #ChangedLives

It's time for my third #EJAFellowUpdate! While my first few weeks at Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts were largely dedicated to the Rapid Response Brutality Project, I have recently been delving into the world of medical parole and learning more about the medical advocacy that our organization does on behalf of prisoners. Today I want to talk about medical parole and the challenges faced by the disabled and elderly who are incarcerated. Massachusetts has a notably older prison population compared to other states. In fact, as of January 2022, 58% of Massachusetts' prisoners were over the age of 40. Due to tough on crime sentencing in the 80s and 90s, many young men of color received life without parole sentences meaning they are still in custody decades later despite the fact that the overall prison population in MA has decreased 45% in the last decade. Incarcerating older individuals is a huge burden on the state. Health care in the prison context is expensive and extremely inadequate. As prison populations become older and older, the cost of health care and housing for prisoners rapidly increases. Meanwhile, individuals in their 70s and 80s who pose minimal risk to society sit behind bars with dementia and cancer. So why keep these individuals locked up when older adults pose the lowest risk of being rearrested once they leave custody? One of the only mechanisms for release for someone sentenced to life is medical parole. For those who are permanently incapacitated or have a terminal illness, there is a possibility of getting out. However, the DOC is largely unsupportive of and slow to respond to petitions for medical parole causing many people to die in prison while waiting for a decision. It is a matter of public health, moral decency, and even economic efficiency to allow the sick and disabled who pose no threat to anyone to receive proper care in the community. While I am grateful that the state created an avenue for medical parole in the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018, much more work needs to be done before this process creates meaningful change within the system. Equal Justice America is a non-profit that provides opportunities for law students to work with organizations that deliver civil legal services to those most in need. If you want to support EJA in their mission to strengthen civil legal services, please consider donating using the following link:

Just reviewed "Potential Unlocked: Building a Sustainable Prison Workforce" - a compelling new report from the Prison Reform Trust that brings prisoners' voices to the critical discussion of prison officer recruitment, training and retention. Key insights from their research: - Being a good prison officer requires sophisticated skills in relationship-building, empathy, and consistent professional judgment. - The prison workforce faces major challenges with high turnover and staffing shortages. - Prisoners value officers who demonstrate basic human respect, accountability, and the ability to build rapport while maintaining appropriate boundaries. The report makes thoughtful recommendations including: - Establishing prison officer registration similar to nursing, with ongoing professional development requirements. - Involving prisoners in officer training and development. - Creating better line management and supervision structures. - Supporting activities that build staff-prisoner relationships. Most striking is how the report centers prisoners' perspectives on what makes an effective officer. As one prisoner noted: "No one understands the differences between a good and a bad prison officer better than a prisoner." Interesting read for anyone working in criminal justice reform, public policy, or organizational development. The full report is available: https://lnkd.in/ewZ3fzyU #CriminalJusticeReform #PrisonReform #WorkforceDevelopment #PublicPolicy #OrganizationalDevelopment

The point is this: the system isn’t giving men a way out—it’s setting them up to fail. When a man walks out of prison, the barriers he faces are massive. For Black men, these barriers are even higher despite fewer risk factors  No one’s asking if he has the skills to rebuild his life, manage his emotions, or learn how to work in a world that’s moved on without him. At Turn90, we’re not just teaching job skills—we’re empowering me to rebuild their lives. Men learn more than just how to work; they learn how to navigate life, how to manage emotions, and how to rise above the cycle that’s been holding them down. This isn’t charity. It’s training, it’s survival, and it’s necessary. Sources: Prison Policy Initiative 2024, Brookings, Crime and Justice Research Alliance 2024 #WhatIsThePoint #EndRecidivism #WorkSkills #RealChange #LifeSkills #SouthCarolina #Turn90 #workforcedevelopment2024

At UBFSF, we believe in the transformative power of education and the importance of amplifying voices that have been silenced by systemic injustice. One of our key initiatives, the Hundred Stories Project, is dedicated to publishing the work of incarcerated authors who are sharing their personal narratives, experiences, and insights. These voices are essential to understanding the profound impact of mass incarceration on communities and individuals. By giving incarcerated writers the platform to share their stories, we not only highlight the power of education as a tool for political transformation, but also work toward building a more just and equitable society. We invite incarcerated writers to submit their work for publication. You can send submissions directly to us at @UBFSF.org. If you believe in the power of storytelling and want to help support this initiative, please consider donating to our GoFundMeor sharing this post with your network. Your support helps us keep projects like this alive and impactful. Together, we can rebuild communities from within, one story at a time. https://gofund.me/6c610b4f #UBFSF #HundredStoriesProject #MassIncarceration #SocialJustice #EducationForChange #PoliticalTransformation #SupportIncarceratedAuthors

https://lnkd.in/gMFwAnZe At Adopt an Inmate, we believe in the power of connection, compassion, and action. Your support helps us advocate for the ~2 million people currently behind bars—and their families—who serve the time along with them. Together, we work to provide connection, mentorship, and resources to those who have been forgotten. Our fundraising target this year is $2,500. It’s an ambitious goal, but we’re certain that with the support of our community, we can make it. Will you help us get there? Here’s how your generosity makes an impact: 🐝 $10 ensures seven people inside will receive our application. 🐝 $50 connects one person inside with an adopter, offering hope and a lifeline to the outside world. 🐝 $100 supports our efforts to raise awareness about mass incarceration and advocate for justice reform. 🐝 $500 helps fund our prison interactive exhibit - coming soon! Every dime, every dollar, every share of this post matters. Together, we can build a world where compassion, not confinement, defines our communities.