Learning together

ARTICLE: Horrific deaths, brutal treatment: Mental illness in America's jails : The Virginian-Pilot 
How America’s jails came to warehouse the people with mental illness is no secret. ... ​Since the start of deinstitutionalization, jail populations have increased exponentially. In 1950, American jails held about 86,500 people. By 1983 there were more than 223,500 inmates. In 2016, the last year for which data is available, the Bureau of Justice Statistics counted more than 740,700, slightly down from the peak of 785,500 in 2008.
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ARTICLE:  All the ways being white helped me avoid prison : The Marshall Project 
As a young, educated white girl, I confused everyone I encountered in law enforcement. Before I exited the courtroom, Judge James told me that, despite my felony convictions, he felt I would best serve my community from outside a prison cell. After so many chances already, I was given one more, and yes, I felt very lucky. Nearly 14 years later, luck is no longer the first word that comes to mind, however. When I consider how I avoided nine years in prison—instead getting three years in probation—the word I think of now is privilege.
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ARTICLE:  The national prison strike is over. Now is the time prisoners are most in danger. The Conversation 
​Over the last few weeks men and women across the United States – and even as far away as Nova Scotia, Canada – have protested to demand humane treatment for the incarcerated. ... prisoner demands to improve the conditions of confinement have captured the attention of reporters everywhere. Coverage can be found in such major newspapers as The Washington Post and The New York Times. Popular magazines such as GQ and Teen Vogue have also published pieces.
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ARTICLE: Nationwide strike by prisoners set to end on Sunday after weeks of protests : USA Today 
​A nationwide strike by prison inmates is set to end Sunday, 19 days after it began. Since Aug. 21, some prisoners have chosen to forgo meals, organize peaceful sit-in protests, refuse to work and halt commissary spending. Meanwhile, allies on the outside stood in solidarity with the protest by marching, chanting and pressuring government officials to take action against what rally organizers call “modern-day slavery.”
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UUPMI Calendar

September 30 - Unitarian Church Evanston
​                 9:15 & 11 am  :  Circle Round
                 12:30  :  Prison Industrial Complex - Register here

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

Events you should know about

Milwaukee 53206
September 17, 2018 @ 6:00 PM
       Old St. Patrick’s Church - 625 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60661
Join Community Renewal Society for a free screening of MILWAUKEE 53206 and panel discussion in September. MILWAUKEE 53206 chronicles the lives of those living in the ZIP code that incarcerates the highest percentage of black men in America.

Restorative Conference at Oak Park Public Library
October 6, 10am-4pm
Oak Park Public Library
The Oak Park Public Library will host its first annual Restorative Conference on Saturday, October 6, 2018 10am-4pm. The theme is: What is Restorative Justice? The conference will take place on at the main branch of the Oak Park Public Library. Please spread the word with your respective communities.

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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.
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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.

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