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After 36 Years in Prison, This Philadelphian Has a Model for Criminal Justice Reform

Tom Dallessio

March 31, 2017 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lack of education was the downfall of one Philadelphia man who spent 36 years in prison, and education proved to be his redemption when he discovered he could do well in coursework. He got a college degree and helped bring the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program to the prison where he was incarcerated. He continues to work with the program, which matches prisoners with college students and professors to help them gain the skills they need, and also fosters more compassion and understanding for those incarcerated.

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The High Price of Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Life

Taffy Brodesser-Akner

March 30, 2017 |

The New York Times Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Young adults who decide to abandon their cloistered Jewish communities have only one another to help them navigate the alternate reality of modern-day New York. 'Footsteps', is a nonprofit organization that brings formerly ultra-orthodox people together to talk and learn to navigate their new worlds, while also bringing in social workers and providing GED classes. For individuals leaving their families, life can be extremely difficult, but this group seeks to create a more positive transition to the secular world.

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Mothers in Charge grads exchange prison uniforms for caps and gowns

Maya Earls

February 18, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Tribune |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program in Philadelphia works with formerly incarcerated women for an intensive 10-week period where they focus on life skills and changing thought patterns. Women get support and mentoring to examine how they wound up in prison, such as addressing past abuse that undermined their self-esteem. They go through a formal graduation program and learn ways to face challenges as they work to change their lives.

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New York City Embraces a Gun Violence Outreach Program Left on Life Support in Chicago

Ann Givens

February 09, 2017 |

The Trace |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In its four years of community outreach, Cure Violence’s New York City chapter has been accepted and welcomed by both neighborhoods and police. The program now works in 17 police precincts, providing direct violence intervention, legal and mental health resources, and improving police/community relations.

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On Patrol With Chicago's Last Violence Interrupters

Ann Givens

February 06, 2017 |

The Trace |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s Cure Violence program, which has been around for close to 20 years, has closed all but one of its sites. The program employs Violence Interrupters, who work in neighborhoods to help stop violent conflict. As hopeful and successful as its creation was, it has run into cooperative issues with Chicago police and has seen a drastic cut in funding in the last five years.

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Entrepreneurship Provides New Hope for Former Prisoners

Riva Richmond

January 19, 2017 |

The Story Exchange |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

People exiting incarceration often struggle to land jobs. But a growing number of organizations are promoting entrepreneurship as an alternative path to economic stability for former inmates and it's not a big stretch considering that many of these folks know how to hustle, think creatively and are resilient. Last year the U.S. Small Business Administration launched a pilot program with several funders to foster business ownership among former inmates but some programs have been around for years and have impressive track records.

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Neighborhood safety leader Boggan knows how tempting revenge can be

Jeff Seidel

December 17, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, California

Many murders are the result of revenge, or an eye-for-eye behaviour. The Office of Neighborhood Safety in Richmond CA is trying to change this revenge behaviour by hiring ex-cons to mentor people who are likely to commit a crime.

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In Baltimore, ex-cons and drug dealers work to make streets safer

Matt Helms

December 16, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Safe Streets, a program run by the city’s Health Department, has lowered fatal shootings in Baltimore’s neighbourhood of Park Heights by hiring local ex-cons to defuse volatile situations before guns are drawn.

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Interrupting Chicago's Gun Violence In A Historically Awful Year

Ben Schamisso Christian Bryant

December 12, 2016 |

Newsy |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

CeaseFire Illinois have worked for years on the streets of Chicago intervening as “violence interrupters” to stop problems escalating into tragedy. Some volunteers are former gang members and they use community connections and personal relationships to stop shootings and retaliations before they happen. The group was the focus of a documentary called “The Interrupters.”

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Failure: the surprising fuel in Israel's startup engine

Abigail Klein Leichman

November 07, 2016 |

Israel21c |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Israel

Business people are beginning to see failure as a necessary way to learn. Entrepreneurs in Israel use their mistakes to learn from them and help guide them in the future.

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