Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice’s Post

A Beacon for Change in this Election Year On January 9th, 2024, Go Therefore Ministries released an America's Life Reference campaign, which includes a collection of texts critical to appreciating the Founding Fathers' vision for the United States of America. The pocket size volume includes the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States of America. This special “Revival Awakening Edition” of their popular Life Reference series enjoyed a public debut at a session of the Legislative Prayer Caucus at the Tennessee state capital building in Nashville, TN. And the timing could not be better. With the most important election in a generation in front of our nation, Go Therefore Ministries is offering America's Life Reference with time to get it in the hands of anyone who wants to make a difference in the next season of American leadership. Designed as a beacon for change and carefully curated with the promise of a revitalized commitment to justice, transparency, and common sense, the publication brings both the inspiration and the values that compelled America's first generation back into the public conversation. And Go Therefore Ministries has made it easy for anyone to share these crucial documents with the people in their sphere of influence. Patriots of all ages can order America's Life Reference from the Go Therefore Ministries' website. There's even an option to get a case of 24 copies for a suggested donation of $48. That's a mere $2 per copy. This is a limited-time offer which represents a 50% savings! So, for the price of a cup of coffee, forward-looking influencers can put these life-changing writings in the hands of family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or anyone else interested learning more about the roots of America's greatness. The release of America's Life Reference also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Go Therefore Ministries – a monumental accomplishment by any standard. Over the past two decades, Go Therefore Ministries has distributed more than three million copies of books from its Life Reference Series, placing them in doctors' offices, schools, businesses, and even prisons, across the United States. The various editions reach people from all walks of life with the truth of God's Word, the promises of liberty, and the value of every individual. For further information visit https://lnkd.in/e2jK7cNE

The States Supporting Familiar Faces Project, led by the CSG Justice Center with support from Arnold Ventures, has worked with local and state stakeholders in Georgia and New Mexico since 2021 to reorient funding and enact policies to improve outcomes for people who are “familiar faces,” a small population that frequently encounters law enforcement, jails, courts, crisis response, emergency departments, homeless services, and other behavioral health systems. Through cross-system collaboration, data collection, and information sharing efforts, state and local partners are taking strategic action to improve outcomes for these individuals. Learn more about these efforts, and how other states can follow in the footsteps of Georgia and New Mexico, in our new report, Improving Outcomes for People Who Are “Familiar Faces” in Georgia and New Mexico: https://lnkd.in/e64gqtyw

THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 18, 2023! Good afternoon, The Call for Presenters for the 2023 Texas Corrections Association Special Populations Conference to be held in College Station, Texas from November 15-17, 2023 is now available! The theme for the 2023 TCA Special Populations Conference will be “Looking Back for the Future.” This conference will require a mixture of Breakout & General Sessions. Breakout Sessions are planned to last for 1.5 hours. General Sessions will vary. Presentations should relate to the conference subject and be applicable to the work of the anticipated participants, which include: Community Corrections, Jailers, Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Leadership, Judicial, Law Enforcement, and Support Staff. Sessions will focus on topics such as: Leadership, Veterans, Human Trafficking, Mental Health, Social Media, Health/Wellness, Sex Offenders, Trending Narcotics, Specialty Courts, Protecting Potentially Vulnerable Populations, and Substance Abuse Treatment. Please share this call with other agencies, organizations, or persons that might have an interest in presenting. Please provide the below information regarding your workshop for consideration. For more information on the conference, visit: https://lnkd.in/g6GuJVXm

Join the Movement for Justice Reform: Sign Our Petition Today! California, with its staggering number of prisons, holds a pivotal role in the discourse on rehabilitation. When we think of rehabilitation's genesis in this state, one name stands out: Ruth Rushen. Rushen spearheaded the integration of "rehabilitation" into the framework of corrections, leading to the renaming of California's Department of Corrections to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. But the journey towards true rehabilitation doesn't end with a name change. Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that mere punishment fails to effect lasting behavioral change. Instead, a holistic approach that includes education, training, therapy, and robust social support is crucial. My words and the actions of Changing Lives Forever collectively underscore the importance of our approach in achieving successful reentry and reducing recidivism rates. However, achieving meaningful reform requires more than just recognition of the problem. It demands collective action. Without a united front advocating for change, opposition forces will continue to influence public opinion, leaving the status quo intact. This means countless individuals seeking a chance at redemption will be overlooked, trapped in a cycle of victimization. This is not just Ruth Rushen's story; it's a plea for change from those whose lives are impacted daily by the shortcomings of our current system. That's why we at Changing Lives Forever urge you to stand with us and sign the attached petition. https://lnkd.in/grsSzFSK https://lnkd.in/gpwmTbc4 Together, let's make our voices heard and pave the way for a brighter, more rehabilitative future for all. #JusticeReform #RehabilitationMatters #ChangingLivesForever #SupportTheCause #HumanityFirst #CriminalJusticeReform #HealingTogether #IncarcerationTransformation #CollectiveImpact #Reform #Business #News #linkedin #SecondChance #Inclusion #Humanity, #Podcasters, #SanFrancisco, #Government, #News, Kenny Robinson, #Success After LockDown, Steven Matthew Clark, Dr. Craig Waleed, Nathaniel Evens, Kenny Roinson, Aseel Fara, Phillip Alvin Jones, Jon Henry, Brittany Perryman, Leo Hylton, Linda “L” Hurshman, Nina Fields-Pourvanttee, Keenan Hudson, Prtick Graham, Jay Sutter, Cierra Cobb, Fernando Pujals, Antwan Carter, Jonathan Branch, Levar Burton, Bill Hobbs, Mike Curry, Darius Coleman, Randy Carter, Jason C. Hopcus, Linkedin Community, Ashanti Maya Martin, Sam Lewis, Jesse Clyde Burleson, Michael Vuong, Christopher Poulos, Julio Santos, Seth Steward, Oswald Newbold, Obama Foundation, David Garlock, Shawn Wright, Matt Haney, Timothy Long, Frederick Cooper, Robert J. Hansen, Philip Cooper, Scott Wiener, Gavin Newsom, Janet Lynn, Rodney Quinn, Kardell Sims, Valerie Cartonio, Desmond Haneef Perry, Don Caballero, Kevin Kelly, Bill Rielly, Rodney Harris, Charles McKee, Dr. Ron D. Garrett, Donna Rojas, David Muhammad, Timothy Burgess

A New Year is a time for setting goals, and we know exactly where our focus will be 🎯📈 Whether it’s prisons, the health service or education, #PublicServices are the bedrock of our society, and we’ve learned what it takes to make these systems more sustainable, efficient and fair. Above all, we need a radical shift toward #prevention, #devolution and space for #innovation📈👊 Top of our list: more power to people and communities. Take a look at our vision for the future ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dD2_MHyw

Improving women’s health not only provides healthier outcomes for families, but also grows stronger communities. Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday. Your gift will help us turn advocacy into action and achieve systemic change by: 🍏 Easing financial burdens on families by ending the luxury sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products. 🍏 Strengthening family bonds and reducing recidivism by supporting incarcerated mothers and their infants through Missouri's first prison nursery program, which is scheduled to begin operation in 2025. 🍏 Enhancing student health and academic achievement by advocating for access to free feminine hygiene products in Missouri schools. 🍏 Improving the health of incarcerated women by advocating for improved nutrition standards in jails and prisons and for the end of shackling women who go into labor while in jail. Together, let’s cultivate change. Give the gift of health by supporting Missouri Appleseed. Give early: https://vist.ly/kkfk

Being on the frontline is an unparalleled privilege. Despite the challenges – the near-miss with oversleeping, the exhaustion of travel – none of it compares to the significance and purpose of representing my community. Leading a rally yesterday in upstate New York, every obstacle faded in the face of the urgent need for representation. My dedication to this cause, driven by a deep sense of obedience to God, is unwavering. I will continue to answer that call, time and time again, because it's not just what I do; it's who I am, and I honor that with every fiber of my being. Let’s make history by passing this bill! For four relentless years, I've stood on the frontline, tirelessly advocating for its passage. Now is the time to make it happen. The Senate has passed this bill consistently, and we implore them to do so once more. Speaker Heastie, the urgency cannot be overstated – place this bill on the floor for an immediate vote. Families are counting on us, and another year of delay is simply unacceptable. To everyone reading, take action! Call your State legislators and demand their support as co-sponsors of this crucial bill. Thank you for standing with us in this fight. We refuse to let New York follow the regressive trend of replacing in-person visits with impersonal video calls. Our loved ones deserve better. The Protect In-Person Visits bill must be passed now to safeguard these essential connections. We demand accessible visiting hours on evenings and weekends because no one should have to sacrifice school or work to see their family members. This bill ensures that companies cannot exploit us by profiting from video visits. It's about preserving our dignity and humanity, and it won't cost the state a dime. Sponsored by Assemblymember Weprin and Senator Sepulveda, the Protect In-Person Visiting bill (A6488/S3318) is our lifeline. It guarantees that New York's jails and prisons maintain in-person visits, enhancing family bonds and upholding our values of compassion and justice.

Second Chances Matter: Join the CT Pardons Day Coalition! For decades, the "War on Drugs" disproportionately impacted communities of color, leading to mass incarceration and limited opportunities. But there's hope. The CT Pardons Day Coalition is working to help people clear their records and build brighter futures. We're led by Tiana Hercules and Kennard Ray, cannabis entrepreneurs who understand the need for reform. Why Join Us? Make a difference: By supporting pardon-eligible individuals, we open doors to jobs, education, and a more stable future. Strengthen communities: When people can clear their records, they can fully contribute their skills and talents, making our communities stronger. Improve public safety: Studies show that people with cleared records are less likely to re-offend. Create a more just system: Pardons help to correct the wrongs of the past and create a fairer justice system. Join the Movement! Spread the word: Share this post with anyone who might benefit from CT Pardons Day. Learn more: Visit our website at ctpardons.com to find out about eligibility, locations, and resources. Volunteer: If you have time and skills to offer, we'd love your help! Together, we can create a more just and equitable Connecticut. In solidarity, The CT Pardons Day Coalition #CTPardonsDay #CleanSlate #SecondChances #JusticeReform

It's no secret that our current justice system is deeply flawed and far too often fails to make amends for the harm inflicted. But what if there were an alternative path that prioritized community healing and justice reform? Our Executive Director Xavier Graves examines restorative and transformative justice in our latest blog post, designed to provide readers with meaningful insights and observations. Read the full post here https://loom.ly/jiwObrg and share your thoughts on this powerful concept with us. Let's explore a new path together. #TransformativeJustice #RestorativeJustice #CommunityHealing #JusticeReform

💣 I was called “collateral damage” by a Supreme Court judge 🧑⚖️ 📍Collateral consequences was one of the key themes of the Puzzle Reintegration conference. 💜 I found a real sense of camaraderie and belonging at the Justice Reform Initiative’ Reintegration Puzzle conference 💜Shared experiences foster mutual understanding, I acknowledge my privilege to be able to speak and stand along side those who have been justice impacted and the allies that fight so fiercely for change. Tahlia Isaac Jacob Little Tina McPhee Tina Lucas-Smith Rocket Bretherton Taylor Budin Lukas Carey Juanita S. Joe Kwon patrick mcgee Scott Beachley About Time For Justice Kane Nuttall Rosie Heselev Dwayne A. Susan Dennison Caroline Doyle Benjamin Knight Mindy Sotiri Aysha Kerr Dr Jenny Crosbie Kimberley Wilde 📖 Lived experience creates cultural change and challenges judgement biases and perceptions of people who have been justice impacted. 📚 My key takeaways from the conference: Those with lived experience offer perspectives that others cannot, firsthand experience deepens understanding. ‼️ “The system”defined by risk and uncertainty, fails to achieve justice and restorative outcomes. 📝 Lived experience should inform policy, as seen in other sectors and highlighted by the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health. 🛑 Although well intentioned I am not sure if orginisations realise that when their programs and initiative are not co designed by people with lived experience that they are further re-enforcing the "us vs them" mentality which is seen in courts and in prisons and in contact with the police where there is little to no communication between operators and subjects of “the system”. 🌉 Lived experience can bridge communication gaps and challenge dehumanising attitudes instead of perpetuating them. 🧑⚖️ I am not “collateral damage” I am human just like any “supreme court judge” I’ve walked out of the fire (literally and metaphorically) and now I am returning with water for those who are still in it. 🩷 Here is a snippet of Tahlia Isaac and I talking about our study, first of its kind lived experience, all women, First Nations designed and led ✊🏽 Tahlia Isaac- it’s an honour to stand beside you and do life with you sista 💜 Thanks to Jacob Little for the filming 😃✊🏽😂