Stories
Each oral history interview in our archive contains dozens of stories. Explore them here, filtering by topic and collection.
670 stories released to date
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Family reactions to interest in incarceration and political activismZoe Dorado -
Challenges faced by CCWP in advocating for fair sentencing and supporting inmatesStephanie Hammerwold
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Advocating for changes in prison policies to reduce tension and hostilityGregory McNeal
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Influence of Black female mentors during upbringing and education journeyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Experiences and differences between adolescent and adult facilities at Rikers IslandJarrell Daniels
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Self-discovery through education and understanding systemic issuesPamela Neely
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Advocacy for reparations and reflections on systemic injustice in ChicagoDarrell Cannon
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Core personal values shaped by love, forgiveness, faith, education, and familyYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Experiences and social dynamics in county jail versus prisonSusan Bustamante
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Reflections on understanding and overcoming societal divides in early lifeCharlotte Garnes
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Balancing work within formal organizations and personal community involvementDana Talbot
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Experiencing the early days of COVID-19 and the influence of a roommate during the pandemicSappho Fulton
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Overcoming challenges of reintegration after incarceration and embracing personal growthLa Tanya Jenifor-Sublett
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Building solidarity and support among women through open communication and collaborationRobin Turner
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Reimagining prison as a space for personal growth and community reintegration rather than mere rehabilitationJames King
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Organizing a day of action for canvassing, phone banking, and texting with local organization collaborationDavid Ayala
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Counseling women in prison and personal growth through shared experiencesKatrina Butler
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Critique of the prison system as a tool of socioeconomic control rather than rehabilitationJoseph Hankins
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Encouraging involvement in prison organizational structures and personal change through participationJane Dorotik
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Reflections on the meaning of freedom and self-determinationAmber-Rose Howard
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Advocacy against the death penalty and efforts for a moratorium in IllinoisBill Ryan
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Finding strength and purpose while in solitary confinement through advocacy and community supportEddy Zheng
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Evading capture during a prison riot and witnessing the warden's responseDanny Dandridge
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Hopes for a legacy focused on community, love, and truthSharon White-Harrigan
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Experiences after returning home and participating in a luncheon that inspired community service ideasDena Dickerson
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Life coaching and mentoring for women overcoming abuse and adversityTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Unexpected experiences and connections during time in prisonTiffany Vulcain
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Making early life decisions and prioritizing family over education and military careerRegnarian Jenkins
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The formation and challenges of the Drop Life Without Parole (LWOP) initiativeKelly Savage-Rodriguez
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Personal transformation and inspiration from supportive mentors during reentry from incarcerationCassandra Severe
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Experiences of trauma and coping through poetry after a hospital stayMaria Moon
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Challenges of implementing gender-responsive programs in prisons and advocating for women's educationLinda Small
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Comparing prison units and inmate behavior differencesHeather Renn
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Aspiration to become a lawyer and appreciation for grassroots political campaigningPauline Rodgers
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Formation and impact of the Renaldo Hudson Mercy CommitteeRenaldo Hudson
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Memorable moments and triumphs from involvement in prison work focused on women's education and supportYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Reflections on political engagement and perceptions of politiciansSusan Bustamante
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Skills and strategies for navigating systemic obstacles and improvisation within the prison systemSharon White-Harrigan
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The challenges and dynamics of organizing for change among female inmatesMichelle Clopton
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Promoting solidarity and sisterhood among formerly incarcerated womenTonie Willis
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Explaining the concept of a C-51 in prison contextDanny Dandridge
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Securing employment assistance after incarceration through the Center for Employment OpportunitiesRegnarian Jenkins
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Aspirations for leadership and early accomplishments among peersJeffrey Denson
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Challenges faced by incarcerated women regarding nutrition, education, and basic needsLinda Small
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Working with P-NAP to design a legal writing syllabus for incarcerated individuals to empower them with practical skillsMonica Cosby
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Childhood experiences at Columbia during the 1960s protestsSelina Fulford
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A cherished childhood memory of peaceful moments spent on a homemade patio swingKatrina Butler
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Reflecting on organizing and education efforts in a reparations movementDarrell Cannon
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Efforts to improve prison conditions and support fellow inmates while incarceratedDena Dickerson
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Childhood experiences with bullying and fightsCynthia White
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Gaining media coverage and public platforms to share a personal story while on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Experiences of racial tension and segregation growing up in GeorgiaCharlotte Garnes
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Surviving and advocating against the conditions in Illinois prisonsDarrell Cannon
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Struggles with drug addiction leading to arrest and incarcerationSelina Fulford
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Challenges and strategies for Sisters Inside after being banned by the governmentDebbie Kilroy
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Perceptions of the likelihood of execution in Illinois during the 1990sStanley Howard
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Transition from gang affiliation to joining the Nation of Islam in prisonJarrell Daniels
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Experiencing culture shock upon arriving at Albion Correctional FacilitySelina Fulford
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Pursuing a social work education while incarceratedDebbie Kilroy
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The significance of showing up for those without support in activism workKimberly Garner
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Childhood activities and early involvement in social justice and activismJoe Moreno
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Addressing and navigating discrimination and bias in professional environmentsRobin Turner
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Challenges and considerations in providing housing for women and gender nonconforming individuals with childrenYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Performing as an inmate band in Illinois prisons and winning battle of the bands competitionsDarrell Cannon
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Efforts to create positive community programs and reduce violence in ChicagoMichael Anderson
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Pursuing a career in laser hair removal and financial struggles during esthetician schoolChanel Rhymes
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Pursuing education after leaving high school due to pregnancy and navigating welfare policiesSelina Fulford
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Experiences with corruption and employment within a correctional facility systemDanny Dandridge
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Vision and future goals for New Breath and racial solidarity initiativesEddy Zheng
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Building community and relationships during incarceration and maintaining them after releaseMaurice Ward
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Transitioning from volunteer to full-time employment after involvement in a reform programDebbie Kilroy
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Challenges faced during a court case and maintaining innocenceTiara Cooper
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Advocacy methods and personal journey to community leadership and political candidacyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Influences of family values and community-oriented belief systems on workMaurice Ward
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Influence of peer group on early career ambitions and choicesKeith Peterkin
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Initiating change by advocating for justice-impacted individuals in prison settingsRegnarian Jenkins
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Advocacy and challenges in addressing life sentences and death row sentencesAlice Kim
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Community dynamics and transformation post-pandemicJoseph Hankins
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Collaborating with legislators and organizations on decarceration efforts in IllinoisErica Bentley
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Exploring poetry and spoken word as a cathartic and healing experienceZoe Dorado
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Creating educational programs for incarcerated individuals with life-without-parole sentencesKelly Savage-Rodriguez
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The impact and dynamics of collaborative events on prison rehabilitation effortsJames King
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Growing up in a small, diverse town in South Georgia during post-segregation eraCharlotte Garnes
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Reflections on police violence and community internalized oppressionMonica Cosby
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Advocacy for abolishing life without parole and the death penaltyJane Dorotik
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Addressing disrespectful behavior in a supportive environmentMichelle Clopton
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Learning from community engagement and leadership experiencesKatrina Butler
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Influential mentors and their impact on personal development and advocacySappho Fulton
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Childhood aspirations of becoming an athlete and community sports involvementKeith Peterkin
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Challenges faced by women in prison due to poverty and a biased justice systemTeresa Njoroge
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