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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Insights on personal growth and understanding through therapy and shared human experiencesStephanie Hammerwold -
Influence of Black female mentors during upbringing and education journeyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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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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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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Childhood experiences and racial dynamics in Washington, D.C. during historical eventsKimberly Garner
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Building solidarity and support among women through open communication and collaborationRobin Turner
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The impact and dynamics of collaborative events on prison rehabilitation effortsJames King
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Sharing personal coping strategies for stress and seeking inspirationDavid Ayala
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Counseling women in prison and personal growth through shared experiencesKatrina Butler
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Building relationships with incarcerated individuals and the impact of commutation effortsJoseph Hankins
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Encouraging involvement in prison organizational structures and personal change through participationJane Dorotik
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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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Perspective on freedom after imprisonmentDena Dickerson
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Educational journey and motivations for becoming a lawyer after incarcerationDebbie Kilroy
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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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Lessons from working with a community coalition on sustaining progress and engagementKelly 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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Journey into organizing and advocacy through Ardella's House and working in addiction treatmentHeather Renn
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Coalition building and fundraising efforts to construct a prison chapel in MississippiPauline 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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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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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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Challenges faced by incarcerated women regarding nutrition, education, and basic needsLinda Small
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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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Motivation for political organizing due to inadequate prison conditions and treatmentClifford Ellis
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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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Impacts of activism and organizing on personal growth and family dynamicsDebbie Kilroy
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Perceptions of the likelihood of execution in Illinois during the 1990sStanley Howard
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Advocacy against incarceration of women and girls and critique of reform agendasDebbie Kilroy
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Significant experiences during early life including activism and attending protestsJudy Greenspan
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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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Pursuing a career in laser hair removal and financial struggles during esthetician schoolChanel Rhymes
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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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Engagement with political organizing and writing initiatives during incarcerationMaurice Ward
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Advocating for a women and girls center and supporting criminalized women and girlsDebbie Kilroy
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Early life experiences and their impact on personal development and relationshipsDena Dickerson
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Advocacy methods and personal journey to community leadership and political candidacyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Staying connected with and supporting individuals transitioning from prison to community lifeMaurice 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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Appreciation for Joe's supportive approach to formerly incarcerated individualsJoseph Hankins
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Experiences of hardship and mistreatment in the county jail and prison systemTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Overcoming challenges with grammar and writing skills through tutoring and self-improvement effortsTeronia Scott-Campbell
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Community support and advocacy for incarcerated womenColby Lenz
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Growing up in a small, diverse town in South Georgia during post-segregation eraCharlotte Garnes
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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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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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Long-term representation of a death row inmate in IllinoisCharles Hoffman
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Potential setbacks related to long-term investment and funding for the agencySharon White-Harrigan
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Organizing and managing a letter writing team to directly communicate with CIWJoseph Hankins
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Challenges of growing up in a non-diverse, lower middle class communityLinda Small
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Involvement with CCWP and experiences at Delancey Street and CCWFJane Dorotik
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The story of how the interviewees met at a conference in 1967William Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn
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The impact of storytelling and personal connection in documentariesRenaldo Hudson
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Organizing against COVID-19 outbreaks at San Quentin and expanding narratives on incarceration and public healthJames King
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Advice for those entering advocacy and organizing work, including knowing one's limits and balancing personal lifeWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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The impact of early grief and loss on career choice as a grief counselorAyana Thomas
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Childhood experiences of abuse and resilience in Englewood neighborhoodTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Reutilizing vacant Birmingham schools for transitional homes and community supportKimberly Garner
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Organizing protests and coordination within the prison systemDanny Dandridge
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Experiences and challenges with the Illinois murder registry systemLa Tanya Jenifor-Sublett
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Advice for lifelong organizers on staying motivated amidst challenges and avoiding burnoutWilliam Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn
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Addressing systemic discrimination through community-building and advocacy effortsCassandra Severe
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Incidents at San Quentin demonstrating the precariousness of unwittingly violating rulesJames King
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Experience in incarceration and participation in the Shock Incarceration Program as a mentorKeith Peterkin
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Connection to nature and the personal importance of spending time in the woodsErica Bentley
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Racial disparities and discrimination in prison entertainment resourcesRegnarian Jenkins
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Balancing personal well-being with the mission of empowering future generationsSusan Burton
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Transition from passivity to engagement through working in the prison law libraryJane Dorotik
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Advocacy efforts for women prisoners and coalition building through CCWPLinda Evans
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A parent's anguish after leaving their son in custodyDenise Spencer
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The interconnected impact of historical figures and racial violence from Money, Mississippi to ChicagoWilliam Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn
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Support and community formed with other women during incarcerationQiana Johnson
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Approach community organizing with humility and openness to learningColby Lenz
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Experiencing retaliation for not complying with orders in a correctional facility jobAnisah Sabur
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Overcoming a challenging childhood and the importance of educationKimberly Garner
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Experiencing tensions with prison staff, other incarcerated individuals, and outside participants in educational programsLauren Hansen
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Lessons for future organizers on collaboration and recognizing diverse expertise in organizing effortsJames King
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Personal transformation through faith and sobrietyDenise Spencer
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Contributions of the Center on Wrongful Convictions to the anti-death penalty movementCharles Hoffman
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Encouraging diverse roles and participation in activism and organizing effortsJoe Moreno
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A poem inspired by Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" written on death rowStanley Howard
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Cultural differences and challenges with food and prison conditions in a new environmentTeresa Njoroge
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Organizing for prison reform and the response of the California correctional systemAdamu Chan
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Advocacy for change in the death penalty and the importance of personal storiesBill Ryan
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Growing up in poverty and dealing with racism in Birmingham during a turbulent historical periodDanny Dandridge
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Reflections on personal growth and advocacy in political campaigns and criminal justice reformGlenn Martin
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The importance of peer support and mentorship in rehabilitationKathy Heinzel
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Involvement in volunteer programs and community organizationsTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Finding healing and empowerment through a photography class and art exhibitMarketta Sims
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The importance of mentors who provide guidance and perspectiveYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Supporting an incarcerated individual's journey towards self-acceptance and identityaffirmationJoseph Hankins
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The necessity of unity and collaboration in the criminal justice advocacy movementKeith Peterkin
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The efforts leading to the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois and its broader impactCharles Hoffman
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Ways to get involved with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP)Judy Greenspan
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Collaborations with organizations in voter re-enfranchisement effortsDavid Ayala
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Addressing mold and shower conditions in a detention facilityTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Experiencing and filing a grievance after a strip search in prisonLa Tanya Jenifor-Sublett
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Sources of inspiration and influence from friends and activistsErica Bentley
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Balancing personal challenges while focusing on professional growth at ColumbiaPamela Neely
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Advocacy strategies in fighting the death penalty and life without paroleAlice Kim
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The impact of mentorship from women who have overcome adversityHeather Renn
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The role of Phoenix Rising Toastmasters in developing public speaking skills for incarcerated individualsMarketta Sims
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Reflecting on strategic planning and collaboration in advocacy effortsDavid Ayala
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Challenges and solutions for addressing youth issues related to addiction and street violenceDana Talbot
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Challenges in the parole system and its impact on rehabilitation and reentryNikki Davenport
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Advocating for inmates' rights and unity in a prison settingSharon White-Harrigan
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Navigating challenges as a Black woman advocating for change in government and communityYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Involvement in various organizations and movements through research and personal connectionsTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Assisting fellow inmates with parole writs at CIW using model legal documentsJane Dorotik
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Early life and upbringing during the Great Depression in KentuckyBill Ryan
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Organizing and executing a community march that led to unexpected engagementTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Pioneering hip-hop artist and community activist from ChicagoTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Fond summer memories with grandmother in FloridaGlenn Martin
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Key qualities for future organizers to sustain and propel movements forwardGlenn Martin
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The psychological impact of incarceration and the importance of peer supportMarketta Sims
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Future projects and personal development goalsTiffany Vulcain
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The contrasting approaches to affection between a mother and grandmotherHeather Renn
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Advocating for the abolition of life without parole and death penalty sentencesJane Dorotik
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Challenges with housing discrimination and background check inaccuraciesCalandra Cali Hulit
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Transitioning to a teaching career and connecting students with incarcerated individualsJudy Greenspan
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Experiences and realizations while participating in activism with Amnesty InternationalJoe Moreno
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Organizing in a supermax prison setting and subsequent disengagement from a justice centerDarrell Cannon
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Involvement in political activities for parole reform and prison conditionsDena Dickerson
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Using negotiation and inclusion to overcome challenges in project implementationYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Evolution and challenges in CCWP health advocacy strategiesStephanie Hammerwold
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Reflection on the political aspects of incarceration and justice system reformLa Tanya Jenifor-Sublett
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The journey of personal growth and overcoming impostor syndrome after incarcerationDavid Ayala
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Close family relationships and the influence of the interviewee's fatherTeresa Njoroge
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Advice for individuals wanting to contribute meaningfully to advocacy workHeather Jo Canuel
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The challenges and empathy needed for incarcerated individuals during the pandemicStephanie Hammerwold
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Significant events from childhood and teenage years shaping personal and cultural identityDawn Harrington
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The development and influence of peer networks in carceral settingsLinda Small
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Advocacy and investigation into the death of Shaylene Graves in prisonColby Lenz
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Encouraging involvement in addressing prison system issuesStephanie Hammerwold
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Experiences of injustice, survival, and community support in jail and prisonWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Building familial bonds and community among incarcerated womenMadeline Mendoza
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Experiencing the legal system and sentencing as a young immigrant charged with serious crimesEddy Zheng
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The impact of prison experiences and advocacy efforts on community changeSharon White-Harrigan
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Adjusting to life after incarceration and facing societal stigmaTeresa Njoroge
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Learning about civil rights figures and legal self-education during incarcerationDarrell Cannon
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Advocacy against inappropriate behavior and weapon use in a correctional facility dining hallKathy Heinzel
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Factors contributing to incarceration including drug influence and social environment in the late '70sLeroy Orange
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Community conflict resolution through family and elder intervention during challenging timesTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Influence of early life and family values on becoming an organizerSharon White-Harrigan
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Abolishing the death penalty and the impact of the moratorium in IllinoisAlice Kim
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Challenges of balancing school and family responsibilities during adolescenceTiara Cooper
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Advocating for self-love, unity, and addressing mass incarceration issuesTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Hopeful moments in the abolition movement in Illinois related to the death penalty moratoriumStanley Howard
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Early involvement with CCWP and efforts to improve prison communityJane Dorotik
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The need to reestablish the parole board in Illinois and its impact on incarcerated individualsMarilyn Mulero
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Developing a model to prevent women from entering the prison system while working with police and legal entitiesDebbie Kilroy
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Collaboration with Jesse Jackson to oppose the death penalty in IllinoisAlice Kim
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The role of shared meals in building community and camaraderieGlenn Martin
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Accessing banned or censored materials while incarcerated through creative networks and conversationsGlenn Martin
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The impact of family support and friendships during incarcerationTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Experiences and attitudes towards education and personal growth through incarcerationLauren Hansen
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