Learning togetherWill Tennessee kill a man who saved lives on death row?
2/16/2020 by Liliana Segura The Intercept It is not unusual for the condemned to form bonds and support one another. Regular visitors to Tennessee’s death row often describe how important those relationships have become in their own lives as well — and how devastating each execution can be. On occasion, prison employees themselves will speak out against an execution, describing the ways in which the condemned person has changed and evolved over the years. Yet Sutton’s clemency petition is striking for the number of people, including prison officials, who describe him as Joyce House does, as a man who has gone out of his way to help others — and even save lives. Read more... "From the Inside Looking Out"
Life Inside: The Marshall Project By Keith Martin 2/6/2020 "When you’re in prison, outside sights and sounds can become cruel jokes... Life Inside: Perspectives from those who work and live in the criminal justice system. " Read more... Self-led Learning page lists historic offerings and more to help deepen your knowledge.
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Events you should know aboutEnd Money Bond Lobby Day
Register with the Coalition to End Money Bond now at bit.ly/PFAlobby! Tuesday, February 25, 2020 From the Coalition to End Money Bond: "On January 9, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker announced that ending money bond would be a top priority for his administration this year. For the last several years, our coalition has been working toward the twin goals of ending money bond and decreasing the number of legally innocent people in jail in Illinois. We look forward to taking this fight over the finish line this year! Ending money bond in Illinois requires changing state law, which is why we are launching a campaign to pass the Pretrial Fairness Act! This bill will not only end money bond, but also create real protections for accused people, guaranteeing pretrial freedom and dramatically reducing pretrial jailing in Illinois. Register now to join people from across the state in Springfield on February 25, 2020 for a lobby day and rally at the state capitol! We need your help to educate legislators about the Pretrial Fairness Act and the need for transformative bond reform. Busses will be leaving from around the Chicagoland area in the early morning and returning in the evening. Keep your eyes on our social media in the coming weeks for more updates on the Pretrial Fairness Act and how you can support pretrial freedom in Illinois! Tuesday, February 25, 2020 6:30am to 8pm (depending on bus location) Springfield Illinois Registration is required. Please register here: bit.ly/PFAlobby This lobby day is free & open to the public! Transportation from Chicago and the North, West, and South Suburbs will be provided. Coffee, donuts, and snacks will be provided during the morning drive to Springfield. Lunch will be provided at the Capitol, and a dinner stop will be made on the evening drive back." Our MissionWe equip UU's in Illinois to transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex. Read More
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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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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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. |
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. |