Learning together

The states where private prisons are thriving : Axios
​Since the first private prison opened in 1984 in Tennessee, for-profit incarceration has ballooned into a $5 billion industry. In 2017, 121,420 people — about 8% of the U.S. prison population — were housed in private facilities, but the share is much higher in some states... Why it matters: Private prisons tend to hire fewer guards than state and federal prisons and often are more dangerous.

• A spokesperson for private prison firm GEO Group told Axios the company's services comply with federal standards as well as third-party accreditors’ guidelines.
• Still, private institutions had 28% more inmate-on-inmate assaults than their public counterparts, according to a 2016 Justice Department report.

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The case for capping all prison sentences at 20 years :  Vox 
America’s prison sentences are far too long. It’s time to do something about it. America puts more people in jail and prison than any other country in the world. Although the country has managed to slightly reduce its prison population in recent years, mass incarceration remains a fact of the US criminal justice system.
 
It’s time for a radical idea that could really begin to reverse mass incarceration: capping all prison sentences at no more than 20 years. It may sound like an extreme, even dangerous, proposal, but there’s good reason to believe it would help reduce the prison population without making America any less safe.
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A Rare Inside Look at a Private Prison: Reporters found weapons, drugs, and rampant violence: Slate
At a prison in southern Mississippi, guards can’t do basic population counts. They can’t keep cellphones, drugs, and weapons out of the building. They are at the mercy of gang leaders to control the inmates. Is this just what happens when you try to do corrections on the cheap?
Guests: Joseph Neff and Alysia Santo, staff writers for the Marshall Project. Read their story on Wilkinson County Correctional Facility.
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Murphy signs law limiting solitary confinement in N.J. prisons: nj.com
A lengthy and vocal campaign to strictly limit solitary confinement in New Jersey’s prisons came to a close Thursday when Gov. Phil Murphy signed a long-stalled reform measure into law. “I am proud to stand together with New Jersey’s criminal justice reform advocates and legislators to advance a humane correctional system that allows for the safe operation of facilities and focuses on strengthening reentry initiatives, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery programs,” the Democratic governor said in a signing statement Thursday.
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Self-led Learning page lists historic offerings and more to help deepen your knowledge.

Upcoming UUPMI Events 

Volunteer Support Circle
Sat Sept 7th  :  10 am - 2 pm
Downtown Chicago - Request information

PIC 101 (Required for all Pen Pals, Circle Members & In Prison volunteers)
Sat Sept 28th  :  10 am - 2:30 pm
Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist
1025 N Smith St, Palatine, IL 60067
Register here

Pen Pal Orientation
Sun Oct 20  :  12:30 - 2 pm
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Register here

Inside Volunteer Circle Leader Training
Sat Nov 16  :  10 am - 2:30 pm
Unitarian Church HInsdale
17 W Maple St, Hinsdale, IL 60521
Register here

Events you should know about

Vigil: Lights for Liberty
Friday, July 12, 7:30-9:30p
McHenry County Jail, Woodstock, IL
https://www.facebook.com/events/2425701794332788/

People’s Convening on Pretrial Freedom
Saturday, July 13, 2019, 12-5pm
State House Inn, 101 E Adams St. Springfield, IL 62701

This event is free and open to the public.
Lunch will be served. Advance registration is required.
Please register here: bit.ly/pretrial-freedom

Freedom Songbook Workshop: Songs for Liberation
TUESDAY, JULY 16th & ALL Tuesdays through August 6th, 6pm
641 W 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60621
REGISTER HERE

Chicago Community Bond Fund Summer Party
SATURDAY, JULY 20TH, 6 - 9pmThe home of Leonard Goodman at 3000 North Lake Shore Drive
Cost: $100 after July 8th.
Get tickets HERE

Know the System: Associate Judges
MONDAY, JULY 22ND, 6:00 - 7:30pm
55 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL
REGISTER HERE

Super Moms Myths & the Criminalization of Mothers
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 5:30 - 8:00pm
Westside Justice Center, 601 S. California Ave, Chicago, Illinois

Click here for more information about events

Our Mission

We equip UU's in Illinois to ​transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex.  Read More

HUGE Celebrations for Monica Cosby:
FIELD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST LEADERS FOR A NEW CHICAGO AWARD RECIPIENTS -- The Field Foundation today announced the 14 recipients of its inaugural Leaders for a New Chicago award, supported by a $2.1 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to expand the definition of leadership in Chicago.
“In Chicago we have no shortage of brilliant minds working every day to change lives and reshape our city,” said Angelique Power, president, the Field Foundation. “We are so honored to be in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation as we hand over a megaphone, share resources, and then sit back and watch as these incredible people continue to soar, bringing our city to more just and beautiful places than we could’ve ever imagined.”

THE 2019 LEADERS FOR A NEW CHICAGO AWARDEES ARE:
• Monica Cosby, a leader of the participatory defense work at Westside Justice Center and one of the leading advocates for incarcerated women and the fight for post-incarceration rights in Chicago.
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We need your help! We can sustain this ministry only if we have the support of people who care about our shared humanity with people in prison. Your contribution will help fund our quarter-time minister’s salary, benefits, and travel costs, plus the costs of our education offerings to congregations.

The In Prison Ministry works to create a spiritual space where all people can come as they are and be affirmed in their inherent worth and dignity, no matter their identities or past harm they may have caused. 

The outside work of the UU Prison Ministry focuses on preparing our congregations to become radically welcoming places for formerly incarcerated and convicted people. We embrace the call of Unitarian Universalism to make our congregations accepting of all people.

​The Prison Ministry will also connect UUs to local and state-level policy  initiatives that seek to build a world community of peace, liberty and justice for all.

Donate Now

UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is a 501(c)3 organization, so your contributions are tax-deductible.

​We are funded in part by the Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility - and grateful for their support.