Stories
Each oral history interview in our archive contains dozens of stories. Explore them here, filtering by topic and collection.
3393 stories released to date
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Emotional suppression and the use of segregation in prisonsMaria Moon -
The importance of mental freedom and resilienceMichelle Clopton
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Transition from gang affiliation to joining the Nation of Islam in prisonJarrell Daniels
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Childhood experience in a predominantly Black neighborhood as the only Latino familyDavid Ayala
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Mentorship and Support370 InterviewsExplore
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A day in federal prison and changes due to COVID-19 restrictionsAimee Chavira
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Advocacy and support for those serving life without parole sentencesSusan Bustamante
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Misunderstanding about Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and subsequent realizationSelina Fulford
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Growing up in the South Bronx during the 1990s and 9/11 attacksJarrell Daniels
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Motivation for involvement in criminal justice and gender justice advocacyNy Nourn
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Adjusting to intimacy and relationships after prison traumaSappho Fulton
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Mentors who influenced educational and advocacy workLinda Small
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Adjusting to life after incarceration and the importance of family supportDaryl Atkinson
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Policy and Lawmaking123 InterviewsExplore
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Journey from incarceration to advocacy work with CCWP and Mass LiberationLynda Axell
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Components of a reentry kit for individuals starting fresh after incarcerationMichelle Clopton
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A cherished childhood memory of learning to ride a bicycle with sibling supportCharlotte Garnes
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The role of legal and non-legal strategies in criminal justice reformGlenn Martin
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Reflection on wrongful imprisonment and advocacy for criminal justice reformJane Dorotik
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Contributions to resentencing policy changes and felony murder reform effortsColby Lenz
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Reflecting on a strong mother-daughter relationship and its impact on future generationsMarketta Sims
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Significant childhood events, including experiencing the Whittier earthquake in the seventh gradeStephanie Hammerwold
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Reflecting on early life events, family dynamics, and formative experiencesHafsah Al-Amin
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Growing up in a close-knit community and its impactAnthony Spaulding
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Inspiration to pursue law from a fellow inmate's determinationRonald Marshall
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Advocacy for marginalized groups within the prison systemDebbie Kilroy
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Building solidarity and facing challenges in a women's prison environmentSharon Smith
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Comparing conditions in ICE detention centers and county jailsNy Nourn
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Challenging prison regulations to attend a father's funeralCarletha Sterling
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Collaborations for alternative sentencing and rehabilitation programs in the Kenyan justice systemTeresa Njoroge
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Perspectives on prison conditions and reform efforts while incarceratedMaurice Ward
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The impact of individual relationships and contributions within a movementStephanie Hammerwold
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Advocacy against injustice and support for justice-impacted individualsCalandra Cali Hulit
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Navigating relationships and social dynamics in prison settingsRegnarian Jenkins
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Abolition feminism's impact on the founding and strategies of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP)
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Cell phones' importance in organizing strikes and riots in prisonsDanny Dandridge
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Reflecting on the consequences of actions and loyalty to peers during incarcerationReginald Augustus Owens
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Influence of early life and family values on becoming an organizerSharon White-Harrigan
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Media strategy in the Jon Burge torture scandal caseJoe Moreno
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Journey from grief and anger to becoming pro-social in prisonLonnie Morris
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Sources of inspiration and influence from friends and activistsErica Bentley
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Influential women in prison reform and advocacy workLauren Hansen
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Reflection on the impact of Governor Ryan's moratorium on the death penalty in IllinoisStanley Howard
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Coping with separation from family and finding solace in faithJaiGregory Clarke
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Efforts and involvement in criminal justice advocacy and women's reentry supportMarilyn Mulero
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Experiences and reflections on prison boycotts and riotsCorry Thompson
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Empowering women through entrepreneurship opportunities after incarcerationSharon Smith
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Advocacy for abolishing life without parole and the death penaltyJane Dorotik
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Building a sense of community and family through shared experiences and supportNy Nourn
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Experiences and challenges of extreme heat in living conditionsMaria Montes Arvizu
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Overcoming poverty and childhood trauma to shape personal and professional identityLauren Hansen
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Experiences of injustices and inadequate mental health care in prisonHeather Renn
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Prison culture and the significance of labels and racial segregation in the systemEddy Zheng
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Personal motivations and reflections on the justice systemKelly Savage-Rodriguez
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Reflections on wrongful incarceration and life after releaseReginald Augustus Owens
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Recollection of being sentenced to death and its immediate impactRenaldo Hudson
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The impact of personal stories on changing opinions about the death penaltyJoe Moreno
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Future challenges and opportunities for CCWP and abolition feminism movement
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Navigating education, career ambitions, and family responsibilities as a gifted Black student and parentayoola mitchell
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Efforts to abolish the death penalty in Illinois during the 1990sBill Ryan
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Experience with the criminal justice system and denial of access to a drug programSelina Fulford
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Navigating personal innovation and existing organizational structures at The Fortune SocietyTiffany Vulcain
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Staying connected with and supporting individuals transitioning from prison to community lifeMaurice Ward
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Reflections on contributing to juvenile justice reform and its impactWilliam Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn
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Experience and interactions with correctional officers in prisonKathy Heinzel
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Finding healing and expression through poetry and photography after losing a loved oneMarketta Sims
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Challenges faced by volunteers and supporters in engaging with the Department of CorrectionsBleu Inkk Watkins
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Transformation through faith and activism after incarcerationJaiGregory Clarke
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Building community and advocacy inside prison and beyondGlenn Martin
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Personal growth and resilience during time on death rowRonald Kitchen
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Setting boundaries and managing expectations in political workStephanie Hammerwold
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Organizing a medical care movement within CIW and navigating repercussionsCarletha Sterling
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Reflections on early life and family dynamics before incarceration
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Addressing safety and respect for transgender inmates in the prison systemMaria Montes Arvizu
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Efforts by CCWP to address sexual violence against women in federal prisonsElizabeth Nomura
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Advice for incarcerated women on community organizing and achieving changeLinda Small
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Reflections on betrayal and advice for those facing the death penalty systemRonald Kitchen
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Challenges faced by families of incarcerated individualsKimberly Garner
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The impact of educational background on personal and professional journey before and after incarcerationCharlotte Garnes
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Unexpected experiences and connections during time in prisonTiffany Vulcain
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Avoiding involvement in a prison riot and mediating peace between rival gangsJarrell Daniels
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CCWP's involvement in the Close California Prisons Campaign and focus on women's prisonsBrian Kaneda
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Opposition to life without parole in death penalty advocacyAlice Kim
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Challenges faced by older generations in guiding young people away from illegal activitiesMichael Anderson
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Reentry experience and support after incarcerationSharon Smith
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Receiving the "Most Improved Corps Member" award and embracing personal growth and identityTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Challenges in encouraging community ownership and engagementSharon White-Harrigan
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Challenges of growing up in a non-diverse, lower middle class communityLinda Small
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Allegations of systemic retaliation and misconduct within prison staffAimee Chavira
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Support from strangers and overcoming challenges during incarcerationMarketta Sims
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Experiences and challenges faced while incarcerated and away from familyTiara Cooper
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Overcoming multiple legal and immigration hurdles with community supportNy Nourn
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Building community connections in a new country and city after immigrationNy Nourn
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Critique of the prison system's failure to foster personal accountability and rehabilitationJane Dorotik
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Desired changes in the judicial system for fairer jury representationTiara Cooper
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Inclusive approach to advocacy addressing multiple interrelated issues faced by marginalized womenSharon White-Harrigan
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Aspirations to dismantle and reform the legal system to address systemic issuesAnisah Sabur
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Childhood experiences and family dynamics in the tristate areaBridgette Simpson
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Leadership and personal growth in a death penalty projectRenaldo Hudson
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Experience in incarceration and participation in the Shock Incarceration Program as a mentorKeith Peterkin
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Growing up in Queens during the crack era and early involvement in street culture and crimeRoy Waterman
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Reflecting on intersectionality and state violence through involvement with CCWPKatie Dixon
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Building a coalition to abolish the juvenile death penalty through research, advocacy, and legal effortsWilliam Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn
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Learning from professional setbacks and personal growth through mistakesTeronia Scott-Campbell
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Growing up during the Watts Riots and other historical eventsCarletha Sterling
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Experiences with medication administration and hospital staff behaviorOrlagh Bewley
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Experiencing federal prison and its impact on perceptions and mental healthGregory McNeal
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Becoming involved in community leadership and empowering young menJeffrey Denson
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Concerns about immigration enforcement and lack of transparencyMaria Montes Arvizu
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Overturning a wrongful conviction and release from prison together in 2009Ronald Kitchen
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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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Reflecting on experiences with mentors and the impact of their generosityPamela Neely
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Formation and purpose of the Death Row Ten at Pontiac Correctional CenterStanley Howard
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Reflecting on personal growth and finding balance in lifePatrick Rodriguez
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Building relationships with Jesse Jackson and Rainbow PUSH in death penalty advocacy effortsAlice Kim
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Encouraging community involvement through monthly meetings and organizational introductions with CCWPChryl Lamar
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Daily life and challenges faced while incarcerated and personal motivations during imprisonmentMarlon Chamberlain
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Community support and advocacy for incarcerated womenColby Lenz
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The necessity of unity and collaboration in the criminal justice advocacy movementKeith Peterkin
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Building a supportive community and advocacy network in prisonAnthony Spaulding
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Reverend Fry's community outreach through his church, The CastleDarrell Cannon
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Governor Ryan's decision to call for a moratorium on executions in IllinoisRenaldo Hudson
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Reflections on regret, remorse, and life changes after incarcerationDorsey Nunn
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Significant events from childhood and teenage years shaping personal and cultural identityDawn Harrington
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Early arrest and its impact on life trajectoryJarrell Daniels
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The role and controversial practices of the Orange Crush in correctional facilitiesCalandra Cali Hulit
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Building community through cooking and teaching in detention centersKendra Drysdale
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Racial and economic disparities in drug addiction and prison dynamics
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Running for office to impact community and judicial processesQiana Johnson
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Impact of hearing from Illinois death row inmates on personal and societal perspectivesAlice Kim
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The emotional impact of the clemency hearings leading to mass commutationsRenaldo Hudson
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Influence of early life experiences and community efforts to prevent youth violenceMarilyn Mulero
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Organizing events and activities within the prison environmentLa Tanya Jenifor–Sublett
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Impact of incarceration on family relationships and communication effortsKatrina Butler
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Challenges of re-engaging with the community after incarcerationOrlagh Bewley
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Experiences and reflections on criminal life and imprisonmentMarcellus Morris
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Early educational challenges and the impact of lack of support from teachersAimee Chavira
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Growing up as a Filipino American in the East Bay and navigating cultural identityZoe Dorado
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Embracing educational and artistic opportunities during incarcerationCalandra Cali Hulit
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Influencing policy and advocating against misconduct in the prison system and beyondJane Dorotik
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Growing up in poverty alongside Aboriginal families in Brisbane, AustraliaDebbie Kilroy
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Life during incarceration and the challenges faced before and during imprisonmentKatrina Butler
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Family history and neighborhood dynamics in Chicago during the 1960s and 1970sRonald Kitchen
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Decision to leave New York for California to study agriculture at UC Davis after college and personal experiences in KenyaDeirdre Wilson
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Challenges in advocacy for criminal justice reform and media representationBill Ryan
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Growing up in the Chicago suburbs during the crack epidemicMaurice Ward
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Cultural differences and challenges with food and prison conditions in a new environmentTeresa Njoroge
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Advocacy for policy change and legislative engagement on prison reform issuesJane Dorotik
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Challenging a legal code and overturning a sentenceClifford Ellis
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Challenges in recruiting women of color for prison visiting programsHafsah Al-Amin
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Addressing educational challenges and advocating for inmates' learning needs in prisonKatrina Butler
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Efforts and challenges in advocating for clemency and against the death penalty in IllinoisAlice Kim
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Three key needs for successful reentry after incarcerationHeather Jo Canuel
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Advice for those getting involved in work with incarcerated individuals without prior personal experienceChryl Lamar
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Collaborating with Manni and Rose to support the MAMAS organization and manage memory challengesDenise Spencer
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Hope for political and societal change amidst uncertainties and potential crisesBrian Kaneda
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