Stories
Each oral history interview in our archive contains dozens of stories. Explore them here, filtering by topic and collection.
301 stories released to date
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Forming unlikely alliances and advocating for reconciliation and accountabilityRenaldo Hudson -
Inspiration derived from helping women and girls avoid or escape criminalizationDebbie Kilroy
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The goal and broader context of the Street Kids Committee's efforts to prevent criminalizationDebbie Kilroy
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Introduction and early life growing up in historical Brisbane, AustraliaDebbie Kilroy
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Navigating educational experiences as a Black Jehovah's Witness in predominantly white environmentsKatrina Butler
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Conditions for women and children in prisons have remained unchanged over decadesDebbie Kilroy
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Discussing the legal and ethical implications of Murray Hooper’s death sentence in different statesRenaldo Hudson
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Death Row Ten experiences and organization in various prison locationsStanley Howard
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Sources of inspiration for community work during early life and time in prisonRobin Turner
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Fighting for women's access to postsecondary education in prisonLinda Small
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Influential women mentors and their impactRobin Turner
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Post-incarceration organizing and development of Reentry SistersLinda Small
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Learning to be a "good girl" and discovering personal identity later in lifeKatrina Butler
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Experiences and conditions in Ohio Reformatory for Women at MarysvilleRobin Turner
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Being passed over for a death row pardon and the resulting frustrationRonald Kitchen
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Early life curiosity and challenging authorityDebbie Kilroy
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Coping with inmate executions and personal feelings of helplessnessRonald Kitchen
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Engaging Jesse Jackson to amplify the campaign against the death penaltyAlice Kim
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Organizing and successfully performing a spiritual dance team amidst internal challenges and conflictKatrina Butler
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Experiences growing up in the projects and their influence on educational and life goalsRobin Turner
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Lessons learned and advice for women in community organizingRobin Turner
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The surprising sense of community and unexpected kindness on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Feelings of betrayal on death row and disengaging from toxic individualsRonald Kitchen
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Advocacy for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girlsDebbie Kilroy
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Challenges and support for formerly incarcerated women globallyDebbie Kilroy
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Realizing and applying prison organizing skills to life outsideRobin Turner
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Overcoming fear of public speaking and becoming a teacher's aide in prisonKatrina Butler
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Experiences with sexism and racism in the construction industrySharon Turner
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Challenges faced by women in maximum security and the impact on health care accessLinda Small
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Mentors and influencers in prisonBleu Inkk Watkins
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Work with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and creation of Building Freedom Ohio campaignRobin Turner
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Early visits to death row and the concept of solidarityAlice Kim
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Reflecting on freedom, fearlessness, and contentment in the present momentSharon Turner
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Prison classification and an incident leading to solitary confinementSharon Turner
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Ensuring the continuity of advocacy and support for incarcerated womenLinda Small
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Realizing the likelihood of execution following changes in death penalty enforcementStanley Howard
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Retaliation from the government after filing a human rights complaint against the prison systemDebbie Kilroy
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Governor Ryan's moratorium on the death penalty in IllinoisStanley Howard
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Becoming the primary caretaker for a sick parent during adolescenceKatrina Butler
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Proposing restorative justice and community support systems instead of the death penaltyRenaldo Hudson
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The importance of power mapping and respectful collaboration in advocacy workRenaldo Hudson
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Influence of early life struggles on becoming an organizerLinda Small
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The power of collective action and overcoming trust issues among women in prisonRobin Turner
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A childhood memory of moving and the comfort of a mother's friendshipBleu Inkk Watkins
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Addressing negligent healthcare and advocating for fellow inmatesSharon Turner
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Advocating for better medical care and starting the Sisters Inside organizationDebbie Kilroy
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Experience with mentorship and the impact of Bridgette Simpson in organizing workSharon Turner
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Valuing relationships and people over material possessionsDebbie Kilroy
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Gaining knowledge and seeking positive influences while on death rowRonald Kitchen
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Formation and impact of the Renaldo Hudson Mercy CommitteeRenaldo Hudson
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Experiences with dignity and respect during imprisonment, and the struggles of obtaining menstrual productsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Fighting wrongful imprisonment and eventual release of Marvin ReevesRonald Kitchen
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Navigating systemic challenges and prejudice as a Black LGBTQIA woman in a male-dominated environmentBleu Inkk Watkins
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Building trust and addressing conflict among incarcerated womenDebbie Kilroy
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Managing tensions with stakeholders while advocating for a death penalty movement led by death row inmates and their familiesAlice Kim
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First experience on death rowStanley Howard
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Challenges faced while providing support and resources in prisonsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Recalling the moment of being sentenced to death and its immediate impactRenaldo Hudson
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Efforts to create change in women's prison through internal committees and advocacyDebbie Kilroy
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Mixed emotions upon commutation from death to life without parole, reflecting on personal expectations and subsequent effortsRenaldo Hudson
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Experience with over-sentencing, therapy after release, and aiding others' prison releaseSharon Turner
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Challenges related to food quality, education, and gender-specific needs in prisonLinda Small
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Identifying with abolitionist work and inviting Angela Davis to an international conferenceDebbie Kilroy
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Inspirations and challenges in building educational programs in women's prisonsDebbie Kilroy
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Personal transformation and discovering self-worthBleu Inkk Watkins
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Advice for young activists in death penalty states and the importance of acknowledging losses and building relationshipsAlice Kim
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Collaborative efforts and learning about legislation during incarcerationBleu Inkk Watkins
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Challenges and resilience of Sisters Inside amid government oppositionDebbie Kilroy
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Early influences and motivations that shaped activism and community organizing workRobin Turner
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Organizing a longtimer support network in prison to address inmates' needs and advocate for changeLinda Small
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Expectations versus the reality of prison life and the lack of preparation for incarcerationLinda Small
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Mentorship and support from a network of women around the worldDebbie Kilroy
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Early life, upbringing, and family background of ShaiSharon Turner
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Creating and distributing a protest flyer about the Death Row Ten and the challenges faced in doing soStanley Howard
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The importance of community and continuous learningKatrina Butler
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Navigating multiple execution dates and the emotional toll of the appeals processRonald Kitchen
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Impact and expansion of the Change program for women leaving prisonRobin Turner
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Transition from prison to vocational training and addressing discrimination in tradesSharon Turner
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Programs to engage and deter at-risk juveniles from criminal activitySharon Turner
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The impact of mentorship and representation on personal growth and motivationBleu Inkk Watkins
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Expectations versus reality of life in prison influenced by media representationsRobin Turner
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Reflections on legacy and family contributions to American historyKatrina Butler
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Impact on leadership style and communication skillsRobin Turner
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Efforts to gain media coverage and tell his story from death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Evolving friendship and advocacy against the death penalty with Bill RyanRenaldo Hudson
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Philosophy and approach of the Campaign to End the Death PenaltyAlice Kim
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Joining and leading the Death Row Ten group while facing internal challenges and advocating externallyStanley Howard
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Advocacy, legal defense, and decarceration strategies for criminalized and imprisoned women and girlsDebbie Kilroy
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Retaliation and subtle tactics used against community organizers in prisonLinda Small
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Feelings and actions after losing first appeals and discovering new evidenceStanley Howard
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Early life and desires before being arrestedRenaldo Hudson
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Reflecting on conditions and finding hope in life while in the condemned unitStanley Howard
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Courtroom experience, release, and first moments of freedomRonald Kitchen
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Experiences of harassment and manipulation by prison staffBleu Inkk Watkins
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Neglect in correctional healthcare and harsh sentencing for women in GeorgiaSharon Turner
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Support and mentorship from fellow inmates in prisonStanley Howard
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Finding hope and inspiration during years of incarcerationRenaldo Hudson
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Developing a model to prevent women from entering the prison system by working with police and judicial systemsDebbie Kilroy
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Challenges and strategies in pursuing clemency and the impact of political influencesRenaldo Hudson
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The importance of family and community values instilled during upbringingKatrina Butler
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Advice for individuals advocating against the death penalty and fighting for justice from within the prison systemRonald Kitchen
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A cherished childhood memory and personal reflectionKatrina Butler
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Organizing a successful petition to address poor prison conditionsSharon Turner
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Challenges and anxieties faced after release from prisonKatrina Butler
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Challenges and realizations growing up in ComptonBleu Inkk Watkins
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Lessons learned from community organizing and the systemic issues in the carceral systemLinda Small
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Expressing gratitude for shared maternal support and its impact on accomplishmentsRonald Kitchen
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Challenges faced in nonprofit work due to diverse needs and holistic supportKatrina Butler
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Learning self-education, teaching criminal law on death row, and organizing activism against police tortureStanley Howard
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Support and impact of the mothers of the movement for death row inmatesRenaldo Hudson
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Details of the appeals process and experiences with police and legal representation in a capital caseStanley Howard
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Early experiences with drugs and the impact on personal values and addictionSharon Turner
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Path to joining the movement to abolish the death penalty from college activism and key eventsAlice Kim
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Establishing and maintaining maternal relationships during incarceration through communication channelsKatrina Butler
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Reflecting on Murray Hooper’s background and execution in ArizonaRenaldo Hudson
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Collaborations and partnerships pursued during incarcerationLinda Small
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Campaign efforts between Illinois moratorium on executions in 2000 and blanket clemencies in 2003Alice Kim
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Awakening to mission of supporting formerly incarcerated Black women and overcoming stigmaRobin Turner
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The role and activities of the morning crew in the law programRonald Kitchen
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The journey of finding strength and purpose after prisonKatrina Butler
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Advice for incarcerated women on community organizing and initiating changeLinda Small
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Advice for those currently engaged in advocacy workBleu Inkk Watkins
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Influential figures during early life in ComptonBleu Inkk Watkins
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Methods for building solidarity and support among women on important issuesRobin Turner
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Mentorship and community support on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Challenges and changes in building relationships with death row inmatesAlice Kim
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Evolving career aspirations from engineering to social workRobin Turner
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Growing up in Cabrini-Green and experiencing trauma within the familySharon Turner
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Advocacy for formerly incarcerated women and critique of "lived experience" reformistsDebbie Kilroy
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Coping with the execution of fellow death row inmates and the mission it inspiredRenaldo Hudson
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Mistreatment and neglect of pregnant women and Aboriginal prisoners in correctional facilitiesDebbie Kilroy
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Challenging dangerous one-sided narratives and emphasizing the importance of mitigating factorsRenaldo Hudson
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Advice for women building alliances and support networks for othersRobin Turner
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Realizing the political nature of grassroots prison advocacyLinda Small
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Childhood memories of imaginative play with siblingsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Reading a poem inspired by Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" while on death rowStanley Howard
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Experiencing the shift toward active executions on death row and its impactRenaldo Hudson
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Experiences and unexpected connections on death rowRonald Kitchen
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Facing unjust convictions and navigating the flawed judicial processStanley Howard
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Engaging community support through letter-writing campaignsLinda Small
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Advice for younger self and managing anxiety in activismAlice Kim
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Personal experience as an innocent person on death row and reasons for opposing the death penaltyRonald Kitchen
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Mentorship and education through Cleveland State UniversityRobin Turner
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Explanation of the term "double tap" in the context of prison executionsRonald Kitchen
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Bringing community support programming to women in prison and advocating for legal changesDebbie Kilroy
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Governor Ryan's moratorium on the death penalty and the role of those on death row in influencing itRenaldo Hudson
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Formation and impact of the African American Women Prison AssociationBleu Inkk Watkins
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Personal impact and emotional toll of clemency hearings leading to mass commutationsRenaldo Hudson
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Starting a re-entry program for formerly incarcerated womenRobin Turner
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Becoming socially conscious in prison due to witnessing multiple suicidesBleu Inkk Watkins
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Challenges faced during the parole process and advocacy supportKatrina Butler
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Serving 17 years of life without parole and strategies leading to releaseRenaldo Hudson
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Experiences with institutional racism and resistance in childhoodDebbie Kilroy
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Journey from life coaching to offering free mentoring services to justice-impacted individualsKatrina Butler
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Experience of advocating against chaining and shackling during medical appointments in prisonLinda Small
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Addressing issues of abuse faced by black women in prison and advocating for changeKatrina Butler
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Counseling women in prison and experiencing personal growth through the processKatrina Butler
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Opposition to the death penalty and its inconsistency within U.S. states compared to international normsStanley Howard
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Starting and leading the Atlanta Tradeswomen Network and transition to criminal justice workSharon Turner
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Striving for acceptance and validation while incarceratedKatrina Butler
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Involvement with Governor Deal on criminal justice reform in GeorgiaSharon Turner
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Adjusting to prison life and the shock of a life-altering sentenceStanley Howard
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Community mobilization and strategic influence in securing commissioner supportLinda Small
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Meeting Andrea James and advocating for voter rights and women's incarceration in MaineLinda Small
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Expectations and reality of prison lifeSharon Turner
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The impact of inside and outside organizing on personal growth and family interactionsDebbie Kilroy
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Addressing the desire for retribution and the effectiveness of the death penalty in providing closureRenaldo Hudson
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Remembering Richard Cunningham: A lawyer and friend who deeply cared about his clientsRenaldo Hudson
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Advocating for funding and support for the Women and Girls Centre amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and political challengesDebbie Kilroy
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Life during incarceration and experiences leading to imprisonmentKatrina Butler
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Learning about the governor's moratorium on executions and its impactRenaldo Hudson
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Addressing intersectional issues within a crowded women's prisonLinda Small
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Journey to advocacy and addressing systemic issues in women's prisonsLinda Small
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Educational journey influenced by economic struggles and later rediscovery of education's value during incarcerationLinda Small
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Personal experiences of incarceration and the challenges of confinementLinda Small
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Learning about and joining the Women Transcending Collective Leadership InstituteRobin Turner
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Key moments in the abolition movement in Illinois that inspired hopeStanley Howard
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Disparities Black women face in the prison system regarding racial treatment and access to hair productsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Influences during early years and communal support in later community workDebbie Kilroy
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Union conflicts and advocacy for tradeswomen's rightsSharon Turner
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Formation and efforts of the Death Row Ten at Pontiac Correctional CenterStanley Howard
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Influence of early life experiences on becoming an organizerSharon Turner
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Challenges and strategies in prison education advocacyKatrina Butler
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Key takeaways from organizing with women in prison and reclaiming personal identityKatrina Butler
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Close relationship with lawyer Dick Cunningham and his familyRonald Kitchen
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Prioritizing education while incarcerated to have something to offer after releaseRobin Turner
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The crimes and torture methods of Chicago police officer Jon Burge and his Midnight CrewStanley Howard
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Experiences leading to political activism while incarceratedSharon Turner
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Incidents leading to solitary confinement and infractions in prisonSharon Turner
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Building and growing Reentry Sisters while navigating personal reentry challenges and systemic barriersLinda Small
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Describing the trial and conviction process leading to death rowStanley Howard
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Educational journey and its connection to resistance against oppressionDebbie Kilroy
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Peer collaboration and support in navigating the prison systemLinda Small
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Values of courage and standing firm instilled by family and communityBleu Inkk Watkins
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Support from families and activists for the Death Row Ten and the impact on their advocacy effortsRonald Kitchen
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Reality versus perception of prison life based on personal experienceBleu Inkk Watkins
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Organizing Juneteenth and Kwanzaa celebrations in the prison systemBleu Inkk Watkins
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Arguments against the death penalty and the impact of death row advocacy in IllinoisAlice Kim
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Observing the impact of the Change program on women's community involvementRobin Turner
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Advocating for fair employment for formerly incarcerated women during the 1996 OlympicsSharon Turner
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Addressing systemic racism and mass incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander womenDebbie Kilroy
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Finding mentors through an unexpected academic courseKatrina Butler
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Influence of key activists in the death penalty abolition movementStanley Howard
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Role and approach to action and implementationRonald Kitchen
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Empowering women to reform the criminal justice systemLinda Small
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Influence of family on community activism and personal developmentRonald Kitchen
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Describing the mock trial experience and reflections on the case's believability and storytellingRonald Kitchen
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Personal experiences with trauma and resilience in the context of victim advocacyRenaldo Hudson
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Chronology of the creation and interruption of the Change media project due to master's degree commitmentsRobin Turner
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Challenges of growing up in a predominantly white, lower middle-class communityLinda Small
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Pursuing a social work degree while incarceratedDebbie Kilroy
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Reluctance to enter politics and concerns about past incarcerationRobin Turner
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Jesse Jackson’s impactful visit and involvement in the death penalty abolition movementAlice Kim
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Mobilizing Black women to address health issues and the impact of medical feesRobin Turner
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Skills and strategies developed to stay connected and support incarcerated women while bannedDebbie Kilroy
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Common backgrounds among people on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Experience with the juvenile justice system and lack of formal educationDebbie Kilroy
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Navigating and addressing issues of racism, colonialism, colorism, transphobia, and homophobia in the workplaceRobin Turner
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Struggles and feelings of inadequacy as a woman working for community changeKatrina Butler
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Facing challenges related to gender, racism, and being a momKatrina Butler
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Mentorship and solidarity as learned from the interviewee's momRonald Kitchen
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Impact of education and love on personal transformation while on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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The importance of providing emotional support and encouragement to family and friendsRobin Turner
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Initiating and leading ministry activities in prisonKatrina Butler
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Building community and advocacy skills through college programs and global women's experiencesBleu Inkk Watkins
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Introduction and background on Linda Small's upbringing in MaineLinda Small
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Receiving unexpected news about early release and keeping it secretKatrina Butler
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Working as a theology aide and experiences with prison transfersKatrina Butler
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Challenges faced by volunteers working in prison systems and perseverance requiredBleu Inkk Watkins
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Arrest and allegations leading to incarcerationRonald Kitchen
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A childhood memory of caring for a neighbor as an act of kindnessDebbie Kilroy
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Updating organizational values and language from a reformist to an abolitionist perspectiveDebbie Kilroy
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Experience of police torture and coerced confessionRonald Kitchen
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Experiencing homophobia in the workplace and facing unfair disciplinary actionsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Impact of the long termers group on prison conditions and quality of life for all inmatesLinda Small
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Experiencing immediate isolation and drastic changes upon being sentenced to deathStanley Howard
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The reciprocal nature of mentoring and supportBleu Inkk Watkins
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Allegations of judicial bias and misconduct during trialStanley Howard
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Personal reflection on witnessing Ray Stewart's final moments before executionRenaldo Hudson
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Decision to drop legal appeals in favor of seeking executive clemencyRenaldo Hudson
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Formation and advocacy efforts of the Death Row TenRonald Kitchen
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Healthcare and over-sentencing issues in various prisonsSharon Turner
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Experiences facing punitive measures for speaking out during prison orientation in GeorgiaSharon Turner
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Learning humility and using personal experiences to inspire and uplift othersRenaldo Hudson
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The role of mock trials in forming the Death Row Ten and revealing systemic issuesRonald Kitchen
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Connecting with anti-death penalty advocates while on death rowRonald Kitchen
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Experiences leading up to and on the day of release from prison after 39 yearsStanley Howard
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Confrontation with a superior while incarceratedSharon Turner
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Learning the importance of working with directly affected individuals through prior experiences with women living with HIVAlice Kim
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Advocating for better prison programming and education for womenLinda Small
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Takeaways from organizing with incarcerated women and the need for mutual supportDebbie Kilroy
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Facing the death penalty and reflections on trial and executionRonald Kitchen
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Joining the National Congress for Black Women for support and empowerment in civic engagementRobin Turner
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Challenges and reflections on a failed clemency petition and its personal impactRonald Kitchen
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Experiences and emotions surrounding executions on death rowStanley Howard
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Future plans, PhD considerations, and focus on healing and personal developmentRobin Turner
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Growing up in a loving, large family with religious and cultural influencesKatrina Butler
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Growing up in Brisbane without electronics in the 1960sDebbie Kilroy
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Experiences with inadequate legal representation during trial and appealsRonald Kitchen
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Growing up in Bronzeville, Chicago, facing negative influences, and early aspirations before the arrestStanley Howard
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Navigating and resolving tensions among diverse women to build consensusLinda Small
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Bittersweet emotions surrounding the pardon and commutations of Death Row inmatesAlice Kim
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Post incarceration advocacy and organizing effortsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Overcoming discouragement and pursuing a law degree despite socioeconomic challengesDebbie Kilroy
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Challenges faced by Black women in nontraditional employment opportunities in the 1990sSharon Turner
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Impact of the Change project on women's confidence and job prospectsRobin Turner
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Navigating and addressing issues of racism, colonialism, colorism, and transphobia within the prison systemBleu Inkk Watkins
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Connecting over a shared knowledge of politics and congressional hearingsRenaldo Hudson
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Leading the death penalty project and personal growth experiencesRenaldo Hudson
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Addressing unique challenges faced by Black and brown women in organizing the Long Termers GroupLinda Small
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Commitment to national leadership and networking among Black womenRobin Turner
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Hopes and intentions for personal legacyRobin Turner
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Interactions with prison guards and the chaotic environment of prison lifeBleu Inkk Watkins
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Coping with the uncertainty and psychological strain of living on death rowRonald Kitchen
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Advice for young people working toward abolition of the death penaltyRenaldo Hudson
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Struggles with addiction, wrongful incarceration, and becoming a jailhouse lawyerSharon Turner
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The importance of patience and careful progress in creating changeKatrina Butler
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The emotional and psychological hardships of being on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Solidarity and struggles among incarcerated women over access to menstrual productsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Organizing inside-outside strategies with the Campaign to End the Death Penalty and Live from Death Row eventsAlice Kim
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Realizing the extent of shared torture experiences among inmates and forming the Death Row Ten advocacy groupStanley Howard
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The importance of caring and sharing personal stories to inspire and humanize experiencesRenaldo Hudson
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Advocating for inmates' rights and challenging prison policies on personal care itemsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Challenges of completing vocational educational programs in prison due to overcrowding and unclean conditionsRobin Turner
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Experiences and changes in prison after facing life imprisonmentDebbie Kilroy
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The impact of Kathy's article on parenting from a distance and related initiatives in prisonDebbie Kilroy
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Mentors encountered through educational initiatives at Colby CollegeLinda Small
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The pivotal moment that led to creating support for women after encountering unfulfilled promises from organizationsRobin Turner
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The importance of leaving a trustworthy legacyRobin Turner
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Systemic issues of police torture and cover-ups under Jon BurgeRonald Kitchen
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Challenges and concerns related to prison life, including gang activity and racial tensionsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Volunteering and employment journey during and after imprisonmentDebbie Kilroy
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Strategies for seeking education, pursuing empathy, and influencing penal system reformsRenaldo Hudson
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Childhood aspirations and changing perspectives on becoming a police officerBleu Inkk Watkins
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Adjusting to prison life and finding roles to avoid troubleBleu Inkk Watkins
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Educational experiences from struggling in elementary school to graduating from law schoolBleu Inkk Watkins
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Distinguishing factors and challenges in organizing work with criminalized and imprisoned women and girlsDebbie Kilroy
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Conditions and factors leading to release from prison and early experiences post-releaseRenaldo Hudson
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The necessity of gaining community support and negotiating unsupervised meetings for incarcerated womenLinda Small
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Challenges and turning points in transitioning from incarceration to entrepreneurshipKatrina Butler
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Emotional reactions and reflections on Renaldo and Stanley's homecoming after imprisonmentRonald Kitchen
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