Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • More Women Are Behind Bars Now. One Prison Wants to Change That.

    October 09, 2018 |

    The Marshall Project |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Niantic, Connecticut

    Connecticut's WORTH program (Women Overcoming Recidivism Through Hard Work) has changed the tone of one prison where it's being tested, by giving incarcerated women the ability to craft self-help programs while treating them with an approach in short supply in American prisons: dignity. While the ultimate goal of the program is to reduce returns to prison, and the state's overall female incarceration rate, the more immediate effect of the new program is anecdotal: Prison officials and incarcerated women alike see people gaining a sense of control over their lives and planning for a healthy future.

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  • PA Banking On New Program Providing Inmates With Financial Savvy To Succeed

    October 08, 2018 |

    WHYY |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

    Two state agencies in Pennsylvania collaborated to launch a program that trains inmates on financial literacy skills in an effort to curb recidivism. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Banking and Securities have reached more than 4,300 inmates through the classes, many of whom have been inside for years and may have never had bank accounts. Research found having a bank account is strongly correlated with not returning to prison and higher employment rates.

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  • Every employee at this grilled cheese restaurant has a criminal record

    October 05, 2018 |

    FastCompany |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Emily Turner, an attorney-turned-activist, runs the restaurant All Square, which only employs people with a criminal record. After years working in the field of prisoner reentry for the government, she decided to create a solution that would directly help people: providing jobs. By paying a living wage, providing mental health support, and teaching business skills, the “fellows,” as they are called, are finding a sustainable way to bounce back.

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  • Philly Program Teaches Defendants How To Help Themselves

    October 05, 2018 |

    WESA |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    In Philadelphia, the participatory defense program helps people learn how to present themselves in a criminal case in a way that gives a more complete picture of who they are. They write a biography, get letters of support and bring supporters to court in a system the chief public defender brought from Montgomery County and which originated in Silicon Valley. The program helps public defenders present their cases more effectively and judges may be more likely to impose less harsh sentences.

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  • What is the public health approach to violence — and does it work?

    September 28, 2018 |

    Apolitical |

    Multi-Media |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Public health approaches to violence, in which different sectors and agencies treat it as a contagious disease, has gained support across the world and has taken many forms. This approach relies on data collection to inform policy and devise services, as well as routine checks on the effectiveness of interventions and scaling the ones that work. While the public health approach to violence has saved costs and reduced police-recorded violence, there are ethical concerns about the widespread data gathering.

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  • Can a Bible college in this NC prison make a difference?

    September 27, 2018 |

    The News & Observer |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Wake Forest, North Carolina

    The Field Minister Program by the College at Southeastern Baptist Seminary offers inmates inside Nash Correctional the opportunity to study ministry and ultimately be used as a tool to reduce recidivism. Inmates with long terms lead the cultural change within the prisons by helping departing inmates find jobs, mentors and communities, running their own religious services, and becoming juvenile mentors, GED tutors, hospice care workers, chaplain support, and more. Studies done on similar programs show that Bible college reduces participant misconduct by 65-80%, and many inmates share stories of success.

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  • Miami Thrift Store Gives Women Coming Out Of Prison Jobs

    September 23, 2018 |

    WLRN |

    Radio |

    3-5 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

    Ladies Empowerment Action Program (LEAP), a Miami nonprofit organization, is helping women transition out of prison and into employment. Women are connected to a transitional job at Dragonfly Thrift Boutique, a store built with the explicit purpose of employing women coming out of prison. During their release period, the female participants go through an entrepreneurship training program to urge them to one day start their own companies and further the cycle of employment.

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  • County Jails Struggle To Treat Mentally Ill Inmates

    September 18, 2018 |

    Illinois Public Media |

    Radio |

    3-5 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Illinois

    Jails in Illinois are trying to step up screening of inmates for mental illness as part of increased efforts around the country to deal with the large numbers of people with mental health issues who are behind bars. More than 400 counties in the U.S. have joined the Stepping Up Initiative to reduce the number of people incarcerated with mental illness and connect them with services. But officials say success is contingent on reliable funding and getting rid of stigmas against mental illness.

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  • The Jail

    September 17, 2018 |

    Finding Fixes |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Washington

    Inmates in Snohomish County jails who have substance use disorder are now being given suboxone to help them manage withdrawal symptoms. Upon release, people are also being provided with supports to connected them with services and ensure that they do not overdose due to the change in their tolerance after a partial withdrawal.

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  • Professional Hand-Holders

    September 17, 2018 |

    Finding Fixes |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Washington

    Washington’s Snohomish County has implemented a program that embeds social workers with the police. The program has been an effective method to bring services to people in need rather than arrest and process them as criminals.

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