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Sustainability Behind Bars: Washington Inmates Are Connecting with Nature

Jake Bullinger

May 22, 2019 |

Bitterroot |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Olympia, Washington

The Sustainability in Prisons Project has brought environmental lectures, work, and support to thousands of inmates since 2003. It offers a unique type of prison work - wildlife preservation, such as taking care of endangered butterflies. It has also started composting and educational programs, in addition to the therapeutic effects of greenery on prisoners and assistance in reentry.

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Changing How You Think Helps The Transition From Prisoner Back To Citizen

Elissa Nadworny

May 06, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Bernardino, California

For people reentering society after prison, the Reentry Initiative offers them the services and support they need. The program, housed at California State San Bernardino, provides former inmates the tools they need to avoid recidivism and rebuild their lives. Some of the classes offered are computer literacy, job readiness, and anger management – but fundamental to it all is cultivating a culture of respect and community amongst participants.

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Mississippi Leads the Nation in Criminal Justice Reform

Casey Leins

May 03, 2019 |

U.S. News & World Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

The state of Mississippi has taken drastic steps in reforming their criminal justice system, pointing to a nationwide cultural shift as a driving force. State legislation, such as expanding parole eligibility, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and barring licensing boards from discriminating against individuals who used to be incarcerated are just a handful of policies the state has championed. The reform has led to a prison population decrease of 11% and state savings of $46 million

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‘Returning from the twilight zone': Home to Stay offers one-stop shop for those leaving prisons

Allison Dikanovic

May 02, 2019 |

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Home To Stay, a new collaborative program in Milwaukee, WI, brings together community-based organizations, government agencies, and private employers to provide outreach and services for formerly incarcerated individuals. Once a month, services like job recruiting, educational centers, and legal help come together under one roof to give those re-entering society an accessible place to receive the support they need.

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I Served My Prison Time. Why Do I Still Have to Pay?

Courtney E. Martin

April 30, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

In 2018, San Francisco county forgave $32 million worth of criminal justice administrative fees. These fees are issued to formerly incarcerated individuals upon release from prison, most of which are not employed and without stable housing. The coalition pursuing this policy change cited economic justice for those that have already paid their societal debt and an overall state savings in collection costs as the primary reasons to end this practice.

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Yoga helps some Utah inmates find ‘the beauty and peace' while behind bars

Sahalie Donaldson

April 29, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Draper, Utah

To reduce stress and anxiety and manage anger and addictions, prison facilities in Utah are introducing prisoner-taught yoga classes. Although not without its complications, such as limited resources, prison guards have reported a change in behavior and attitude amongst the inmates, inspiring funders to invest in expanding similar programs at other facilities.

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Coming home: How offender re-entry programs increase job placement and decrease recidivism

David Singer

April 25, 2019 |

WGME-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Windham, Maine

Maine's only offender re-entry program for women in Windham is on its way to replicate the success of similar programs in Texas and Nevada. Federal justice research has shown that offenders that go through re-entry programs are less likely to reoffend and more likely to hold down a steady job. The Windham program works towards this through their education program that incorporates students from local colleges as well as utilizing a collection of best practices developed by similar programs.

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“What Does the World Beyond Jails and Prisons Look Like?”

Zenobia Jeffries

April 18, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Justice Center is providing a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in the county. The nonprofit law firm provides immediate support, like paying back child support and posting the cash bail payments that keep those experiencing poverty trapped in a cycle of debt and imprisonment. The group also aims high in their larger efforts to disrupt the criminal justice system, like suing the county to prevent the building of a new jail complex, and provides their clients and the community the chance to reimagine what the city could look like with transformative and economic justice.

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Restoring Prisoners' Access to Education Reduces Recidivism

James McWilliams

April 16, 2019 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Hawaii

A piece of bipartisan legislation was introduced to the United States’ Senate in February 2018 that would give individuals in incarceration access to Pell Grants, thus increasing their college education opportunities. While the bill was not enacted, it is part of an ongoing process of reinstating access to Pell Grants for prisoners from the Obama administration, who gave limited access in its Second Chance program. This bill speaks to the largely bipartisan cultural shift that embraces the need to invest in correctional education in order to prevent recidivism.

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Changes Coming To Housing Program For Former Inmates

Edward O'Brien

April 15, 2019 |

Montana Public Radio |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Missoula, Montana

The state of Montana helps former prison inmates find and pay for stable housing and to improve their job-hunting skills after their release. The pilot program is praised both by former inmates, for the support they received, and landlords, who now have an incentive to rent to this population.

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