Learning together

ARTICLE:  You’ve Served Your Time. Now Here’s Your Bill.
Huffington Post
...(T)he economic exploitation of prisoners doesn’t end when they’re released. In 49 states, inmates are charged for the costs of their own incarceration. The way this works varies. In some states, formerly incarcerated people are sent bills, and in others they are charged fines (sometimes called legal financial obligations, or LFOs). Some states collect the cost of incarcerating someone through windfall statutes, grabbing any inheritances, lottery winnings or proceeds from litigation. 
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ARTICLE: Robbed’ of His Life by a Wrongful Conviction, He’s Now Free, and Bewildered : New York Times 
Mr. McKee spent two decades in prison for a murder he has long maintained he did not commit. Eight months ago, a state judge threw out his conviction on the recommendation of the Bronx district attorney’s office, which determined important evidence had never been given to the defense.
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ARTICLE: Former Logan inmate sues over alleged sexual assault  :  State Capitol Bureau 
A former inmate at the Logan Correctional Center says she was sexually assaulted by a prison employee and that prison staff knew of the assaults but did nothing to stop them. The allegations are laid out in a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Springfield.
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ARTICLE:  New Bruce Norris play 'Downstate' argues that sex offenders are people, too  :  Chicago Tribune 
Provocative in these times - how do we hold people accountable but not throw them away?...“Downstate,” which is a co-production with the National Theatre in London and is blisteringly acted under the direction of Pam MacKinnon, dares to do something that even Norris has not done before: to ask an audience to gather and debate the not-so-gentle proposition that sex-offenders are people too. ...
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Self-led Learning page lists historic offerings and more to help deepen your knowledge.

UUPMI Calendar

Tuesdays in October - Unitarian Church Evanston
                  10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23 
                  7 - 9 pm  :  Radical Hospitality - Register here

November 18 - Second Unitarian Church 
​                 10:30  :  Free to Forgive

Events you should know about

Restorative Conference at Oak Park Public Library
Sat. October 6, 10 am - 4 pm
Sun. October 7, 2 pm - 5:30 pm
Oak Park Public Library :: 834 Lake St. Oak Park IL 60301
Join us for our first annual. The theme is: What is Restorative Justice? Come and share your  definition of restorative justice and what it should look like for your community. Our event will feature peace circles, panels, workshops and so much more. The conference will take place on at the main branch.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OPPL.ORG

Click here for more information about events

CHECK OUT updates to our advocacy
​- Some good NEWS

Our Mission

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

Congratulations Monica Cosby long time supporter of UUPMI working to ensure other women are never faced with prison.
Chicago Tribune  ::  July 18, 2018   
ARTICLE: 'Prison is not where women need to be'

​The number of women locked up in Illinois prisons could be cut in half under an ambitious proposal by reform advocates who argue that the corrections system has largely ignored the needs of female inmates.
Watch Video - Read More

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.