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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Advocating for alternative approaches to incarceration for women and the LGBT communitySusan Burton -
Clear communication of expectations and roles in protest environmentsNorris Henderson
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Challenges and obstacles faced by incarcerated individuals and staff attitudes toward rehabilitation and educationLeah Faria
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Creating public platforms to share stories from death row inmates and challenge preconceived notionsAlice Kim
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Influence of peer group on early career ambitions and choicesKeith Peterkin
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Future projects and personal development goalsTiffany Vulcain
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Growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution and moving to the United StatesEddy Zheng
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Advocacy against police brutality and the personal impact of tortureDarrell Cannon
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Proposing restorative justice and accountability over punitive measures in justice systems
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Organizing a remote clemency celebration for women released from incarcerationCassandra Severe
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The importance of involving those directly impacted in movement leadership and clear communication strategiesWilliam Ayers
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Living on death row during the resurgence of executions in Illinois in the 1990s
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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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Adjusting to life in prison and coping with fear and survival instinctsMarketta Sims
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Challenges and strategies in collaborating with other women on shared goalsYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Advocacy against disrespectful corporate practices and media stereotypes of people of colorDana Talbot
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Realizing the need for change after a personal loss while incarceratedSharon White-Harrigan
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Experience working with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative on campaigns for marginalized communitiesRobin Turner
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Family dynamics and encouraging education for future stabilityLauren Hansen
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Addressing misconduct and advocating for change in a boot camp environmentYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Expression through art, activism, and creative endeavorsMadeline Mendoza
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Reflection on the impact of Governor Ryan's moratorium on the death penalty in IllinoisStanley Howard
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The importance of celebrating life and legacy while aliveYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Impact of the Change project on women's confidence and career skillsRobin Turner
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Learning about civil rights figures and legal self-education during incarcerationDarrell Cannon
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Addressing racism, colorism, and solidarity among women in a prison settingLeah Faria
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Childhood aspirations of becoming an athlete and community sports involvementKeith Peterkin
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Building community and support networks among women in prisonLeah Faria
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Participation in prison riots and fighting for constitutional rightsDanny Dandridge
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Reflections on activism, racism, and overcoming discouragement after election resultsWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Experiences of educational opportunities and discrimination in prisonLauren Hansen
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Three key needs for successful reentry after incarcerationHeather Jo Canuel
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Support and inspiration from a psychologist for women post-incarcerationAnisah Sabur
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Experience of being released from prison after 39 years and adjusting to life outsideStanley Howard
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Critiques of the death penalty as a racist and classist system and the importance of creating a social movement against itWilliam Ayers
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Building a coalition to abolish the juvenile death penalty through research, advocacy, and legal effortsWilliam Ayers
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A parent's anguish after leaving their son in custodyDenise Spencer
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The importance of celebrating life and honoring ancestors' roles in community and leadershipYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Reflecting on a mother's hard work and perseverance during challenging timesRonald Marshall
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Experiences of bused education and its impact on after-school opportunitiesKeith Peterkin
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Reentry experience and overcoming challenges through privilege and hard workRegnarian Jenkins
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Mentoring and inspiring younger generations through personal experiences and community engagementMadeline Mendoza
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Creative activism during incarceration using art to communicate external messagesHeather Jo Canuel
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Personal experiences of trauma and difficult choices as a mother in a legal situationDenise Spencer
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Challenges in advocacy for criminal justice reform and media representationBill Ryan
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Challenges faced in securing housing and work post-incarceration due to criminal background and media exposurePamela Neely
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Using negotiation and inclusion to overcome challenges in project implementationYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Realizing the need to address unmet promises for incarcerated womenRobin Turner
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Fear and power dynamics in the prison systemRegnarian Jenkins
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Emphasizing allyship through collective leadership and supporting system-impacted individualsayoola mitchell
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The Northwestern Conference on Wrongful Convictions and its focus on the juvenile death penaltyWilliam Ayers
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Creating art that reflects on incarceration, freedom, and healingMichelle Clopton
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Connecting over a shared knowledge and interest in politics and political figures
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Building support for the Torture Reparation Ordinance within local government and with activistsJoe Moreno
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Experiences and conditions of confinement in Ohio Reformatory for WomenRobin Turner
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Addressing childhood bullying through a direct confrontation approachDenise Spencer
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Lasting connections formed through prison work and mentorship relationshipsYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Engagement in trauma healing and mitigation work and launching a leadership cohort for women's empowermentayoola mitchell
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Reflections on resilience, personal growth, and community support through struggleSharon White-Harrigan
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Emotional suppression and the use of segregation in prisonsMaria Moon
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Overcoming challenges and proving resilience after incarcerationAyana Thomas
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Advocating for and passing a reparations ordinance as an aldermanJoe Moreno
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Addressing post-incarceration challenges and the need for comprehensive support systemsDana Talbot
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Efforts to support and upskill formerly imprisoned women in Kenya through corporate partnerships and mentorship programsTeresa Njoroge
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Supporting women in the judicial system and addressing trauma and griefAyana Thomas
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Prison labor and its economic impact on the state of AlabamaNikki Davenport
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Working in reentry to support individuals returning from prisonDanny Dandridge
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Reflections on death penalty abolition efforts and the need for systemic change in the criminal justice systemBill Ryan
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Building community in prisons and juvenile correctional settings through engagement and sincere interactionayoola mitchell
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Overcoming early life challenges and discouragement to become an organizerLinda Small
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Perceptions of the likelihood of execution in Illinois during the 1990sStanley Howard
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Contributions of the Center on Wrongful Convictions to the anti-death penalty movementCharles Hoffman
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Advocating for women's rights and tackling workplace harassmentLauren Hansen
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Navigating life in a restrictive environment and adapting to new rules and community dynamicsAyana Thomas
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Experiencing and overcoming racism in personal lifeNikki Davenport
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Understanding legal advocacy strategies and using institutional knowledge for reform effortsNorris Henderson
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Experiencing retaliation and intimidation after publishing a controversial book in prisonRonald Marshall
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Strategies used to advocate for a death penalty moratorium and change public perceptionCharles Hoffman
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Advocating for spousal support during pregnancy while incarceratedTiffany Vulcain
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Details of a conviction and death sentence following a coerced confession and inconsistent eyewitness testimonyStanley Howard
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Reflecting on past self and the impact of mentorship and guidanceYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Disparities in sentencing and prison time for similar crimesLauren Hansen
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Potential setbacks related to long-term investment and funding for the agencySharon White-Harrigan
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Pursuing a career in nursing and transitioning to social work after incarceration barriersCassandra Severe
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Reflecting on the emotional toll of participating in the death penalty processCharles Hoffman
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Defining and experiencing personal freedomMarketta Sims
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Advocating for better prison conditions and supporting fellow inmates through legal assistanceCalandra Cali Hulit
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Retaliation by guards following a prison riot at Elmore Correctional FacilityDanny Dandridge
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The decision to address the incarceration of Black and Brown women and advocate for changeLeah Faria
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Experiences and attitudes towards education and personal growth through incarcerationLauren Hansen
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Advocacy for a moratorium on executions in IllinoisBill Ryan
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Experiencing a political awakening through challenging a sanction using education and advocacy skillsCharlotte Garnes
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Hopes for a legacy as a change maker and humanitarianRobin Turner
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Motivations and dynamics of political organizing in prisonsAdamu Chan
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Reflecting on the psychological impact of incarceration and the struggle to maintain hopeMaria Moon
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Leveraging privilege to address injustice and create changeWilliam Ayers
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