Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies’ Post

Studies reveal that upwards of 90% of incarcerated women in some state prisons have endured domestic violence before their incarceration. In 2019, New York made a significant stride towards offering redemption to incarcerated survivors by passing a new law called the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act— and other states may follow. This law gives judges the power to look back at sentences of survivors and potentially resentence them, if a clear connection can be linked between the domestic violence they experienced and the crime. Resentencing laws such as this one and Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing aim to provide relief by reducing sentences and ensuring that all aspects of an individual's lived experiences are fully considered. This approach serves to address social safety issues like domestic violence and promotes justice. #WomensHistoryMonth https://bit.ly/48BiYmU

Issues on female incarceration and gender roles in the prison system are important to address. Read our article on “Prison in Pink”, the unique challenges female prisoners face in the justice system.

Powerful read and insight. If you serve people in legal systems, or who have experienced being in a legal system, this is a must read.

"As part of a drive to identify the needs of neurodiverse offenders in the criminal justice system, the Prison Service has now conducted more than 180,000 screenings since April 2021, as well as opening four specialised units to improve support. This includes HMP Pentonville where a recent inspection report noted that there were fewer incidents of violence and a reduction in assaults on the unit." #Neurodiversity #Neurodiverse #Neurodivergent https://lnkd.in/d9rq7SfX

"In a country grappling with challenges in its criminal justice system, faith-based groups are playing a profound role in the lives of the incarcerated and those re-entering society after release from correctional facilities...  The Weekly spoke with leaders of local faith-based groups, formerly incarcerated people, and those who have the authority to influence rehabilitation policy to better understand the impact and implications of religion within the American criminal justice system." Building awareness and understanding of how the communities around us work (or don't work) is vital to our #collectiveresilience and #wellbeing. Check out this informative and well researched article, #JailhouseReligion, which explores the role religion plays in reentry for the formerly incarcerated. The article welcomes you to come to your own conclusions. I am most proud sharing this particular article because the author is my powerful and bright daughter, Dylan Comerford.

Updated panel lineup! 🌟 It is widely known that people of color, especially Black Americans, are over-represented within the U.S. prison system. Many people have come to the conclusion that incarceration is not an effective response to nor deterrent of crime. Our panelists will examine how prisons perpetuate racial inequities and offer key arguments for prison abolition as a way to make our communities healthier and safer. Join us on August 21 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live for our Action Conversation on Race: Prison Abolition. ASL interpretation is provided. Register at ywcapgh.org/conversations. 💬 Moderator - Vincent Folkes - Workshop Education Coordinator, Center for Race & Gender Equity, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Panelists - Meghsha Sqawsan Barner - Member, Let's Get Free Women and Trans Prisoner Defense Committee - Bethany Hallam - Member, Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board - Tanisha Long - Community Organizer, Abolitionist Law Center - Muhammad Nasir (MAN-E) - Civic Engagement, Advocacy, and Policy Coordinator, 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY & Founder, Community Care and Resistance in Pittsburgh YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization and does not support or endorse any candidates for public office. All partner organizations are participating in events in strict accordance with these 501(c)(3) rules and restrictions. All speakers are participating in their individual capacity, and their statements are not attributable to or endorsed by the host organizations. There will be no discussion of candidates or political parties by speakers. We ask that attendees refrain from displays of support or opposition for any candidates or political parties.

Check out the latest report on Tran Prisoners.

Children of all ages may have complex relationships with their mothers or fathers. On this special day, let’s remember: -grief may exist because of loss, not only due to death but because of voluntary or involuntary separation -both offspring and parents may show grief in hard to decipher ways. Instead of saying “What’s your problem?” in upcoming days, maybe say “Is there a way I can support you?”. -When we as a society incarcerates one group so disproportionately, we need to ask what the true root causes are…and what the long term outcomes will be. Children without fathers, no matter how those fathers may have their own struggles, lose their guiding lights. Can we do better in reducing long term separations that hurt both fathers and their children?

A better way forward: 1. Redirect $$ from jails to health services 2. Connect people w/social services 3. Reduce the number of arrests & jailable offenses 4. Divert people to other service providers 5. Assess the needs of people frequently arrested Read: https://lnkd.in/eDNQwiz via Prison Policy Initiative

This report highlights the significant progress made in reducing recidivism across the country over the past 15 years. Since its passage in 2008, the Second Chance Act has invested in state and local efforts to improve outcomes for people leaving prison and jail, with a total of nearly 1,200 grantees from 48 states and 3 territories administering programs that have served more than 400,000 people. #recidivism #massincarceration #secondchanceact https://lnkd.in/ehVGbMwp