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The Separation

Alysia Santo Elaine McMillion Sheldon

May 06, 2020 |

The Marshall Project |

Documentary |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Wetumpka, Alabama

Alabama’s Tutwiler Prison for women, once found to be one of the worst prisons for women in the country, has undergone major reforms to change its once-abusive culture. A key part of this has been a focus on pregnant women who are experiencing incarceration, focusing more on rehabilitation than punitive measures by offering peer support groups and substance abuse programming. Tutwiler has also brought in the Alabama Prison Birth Project, offering childbirth education and doula services if desired.

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UnCommon Law Helps Inmates Serving Life Sentences Earn Back Their Freedom

Jennie Butler

April 26, 2020 |

NowThis News |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, California

The California law firm UnCommon Law is helping people in prison make parole through group counseling and training. The firm facilitates conversations around insight, helping participants understand and explain their own personal journey and reckon with the impact of their actions, so that they can convey this to their parole board. Since 2006, UnCommon law has helped 248 men and women receive parole, a 60% success rate.

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Private Prisons Profit Off Incarceration. One In Australia Shows How To Flip The Script

Rae Ellen Bichell

March 09, 2020 |

KUNC |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Australia

Using a performance-based contract to give a private prison company the incentive to lower recidivism has encouraged the private operator of Australia’s largest prison to foster a more positive environment and provide a rich array of rehabilitative programs. Instead of penalizing the prison operator for problems, the contract rewards it for success, defined as fewer people returning to prison. Early indications are that it’s working well, by providing job training, counseling that continues after incarceration, and help finding housing post-release.

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Dimesse sisters link female prisoners to society in Kenya

Doreen Ajiambo

February 20, 2020 |

Global Sisters Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya

Kenya's overcrowded and poorly maintained prisons offer some educational and rehabilitative programs to inmates, but the nuns of the Dimesse congregation provide something else to try to transform the lives of those who committed crimes: religious instruction, with a side helping of basic humanitarian supplies. Along with food, underwear, and sanitary pads, the nuns use regular visits to men's and women's prisons to hand out bibles and give faith-based instruction aimed at reintegrating shunned citizens once they return to their communities.

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Free Our Youth

Jessica Press

January 28, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia’s Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project (YASP) offers support for youth experiencing incarceration. Funded by personal donations and grants, they offer art workshops and classes on how to navigate the justice system, manage funds to bail individuals out, and advocate for criminal justice reform. Their advocacy also helped end the practice of sentencing juveniles to life without parole.

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Books behind bars: Pilot Pell Grant program helps inmates look toward the future

Kelan Lyons

January 24, 2020 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Suffield, Connecticut

At Connecticut’s MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, people experiencing incarceration have the opportunity to participate in postsecondary classes, even completing a certificate or degree. They’re able to do this because of the Second Chance Pell pilot program, started in 2015, which offers financial aid for inmates to access education. With bipartisan support, there’s hope that the pilot program will grow, as current research shows how the programming reduces recidivism and saves tax dollars.

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How to stop youth violence: Role models, mentors, glimpses of life's possibilities

Natasha S. Alford

January 23, 2020 |

syracuse.com |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Syracuse, New York

At Syracuse, New York’s Hillbrook Detention Center for youth, the Thinking For A Change program provides kids with classes – taught by mentors with similar backgrounds – like conflict resolution, anger management, problem-solving, and how to recognize signs of abuse. The program is part of a national shift toward rehabilitation and community-based programming, which is associated with a decrease in the number of youth experiencing incarceration.

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Art Helps Returning Citizens ‘Cross the Threshold'

Emily Nonko

December 11, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Performance art provides a healing outlet for formerly incarcerated individuals. In New York City, the Ritual4Return program encourages participants to express the transition in their lives through art. Using an artistic expression helps individuals cope with the experience of incarceration and encourages them to reflect on crossing the threshold into the next stage of life. The program operates with the support of grants from universities, foundations, and private donations through a Kickstarter campaign.

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Would You Open Your Home to an Ex-Prisoner?

Michaela Haas

December 11, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Home-sharing programs help formerly incarcerated individuals avoid homelessness. The Homecoming Project, operated by Impact Justice, a nonprofit in California, leverages the sharing economy model to reduce homelessness and recidivism among ex-prisoners. The program pairs individuals leaving prison with good records with hosts willing to share their homes. The arrangement provides stability and a supportive environment for ex-prisoners to reintegrate into the community.

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Speech club helps Utah prison inmates tell their stories

Nate Carlisle

December 09, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Draper, Utah

At Utah State Prison, the New Visions Speech Club is teaching inmates public speaking. The club gives inmates the opportunity to practice communication and bolster their confidence – two skills that can help them in the long run. While there hasn’t been any evidence between the club and decreased recidivism, those that participate have said how its helped them express themselves in parole hearings and job interviews.

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