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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Activism against the death penalty in Illinois and efforts to influence policy changeAlice Kim -
March 2024 march for clemency for formerly incarcerated women across the USAnisah Sabur
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Joining an advocacy group to support a son and meeting influential figuresDenise Spencer
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Surviving and advocating against the conditions in Illinois prisonsDarrell Cannon
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Efforts and challenges in advocating for clemency and against the death penalty in IllinoisAlice Kim
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Aspirations to dismantle and reform the legal system to address systemic issuesAnisah Sabur
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Different philosophies in anti-death penalty advocacy organizationsAlice Kim
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Addressing misconduct and advocating for change in a boot camp environmentYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Reflecting on contributions to social justice and systemic changeAnisah Sabur
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Experiences with reentry after incarceration and the importance of accountability and mercyMaria Moon
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Impact and legacy of work in prison reform and training programsYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Future career aspirations and potential move to tech industry and KenyaChanel Rhymes
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Journey from working in a warehouse to a career in policy and reentry workMaria Moon
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The influence of victim and death row families on Governor Ryan's decision to commute death sentencesAlice Kim
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Understanding and addressing trauma in approaches to change and leadershipYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Advocacy for prison education programs and amending the Thirteenth AmendmentLauren Hansen
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Influence of family history and early exposure to advocacy on current workChanel Rhymes
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Challenges in advocacy for criminal justice reform and media representationBill Ryan
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Awareness of incarceration laws and impact of policy changes in IllinoisMichelle Clopton
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Maintaining order and respect between inmates and guards in prisonKeith Peterkin
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Potential setbacks related to long-term investment and funding for the agencySharon White-Harrigan
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Reflections on life after prison and hopes for a more just worldTeresa Njoroge
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The significance of a death penalty moratorium for inmates on death rowBill Ryan
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Strategies for advocating a moratorium on the death penalty in states that still executeBill Ryan
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Conflicts within the movement to abolish the death penaltyBill Ryan
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Collaboration challenges among women in advocacy movementsSharon White-Harrigan
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Advocacy strategies in fighting the death penalty and life without paroleAlice Kim
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Advocacy for the Pretrial Fairness Act and the Expecting Justice Bill in IllinoisHeather Jo Canuel
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Calls for justice system reform and support for exonerated individualsMadeline Mendoza
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Addressing post-incarceration challenges and the need for comprehensive support systemsDana Talbot
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Challenges and solutions for addressing youth issues related to addiction and street violenceDana Talbot
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Advocacy efforts for women prisoners and coalition building through CCWPLinda Evans
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Abolishing the death penalty and the impact of the moratorium in IllinoisAlice Kim
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The impact of colonial-era penal codes on marginalized communities in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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Creating dignity packs for women and children in Kenyan prisonsTeresa Njoroge
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Creating healing spaces for women as a form of advocacy and radical movementAyana Thomas
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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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Advocacy efforts for incarcerated individuals and meeting with local officialsDenise Spencer
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The importance of organizing and advocacy in making policy changesLinda Evans
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Advocating for collective action and family involvement in supporting wrongfully convicted individualsMarilyn Mulero
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Inspiration from family, colleagues, and justice advocates worldwide in community workTeresa Njoroge
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Advocacy for a moratorium on executions in IllinoisBill Ryan
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Lessons learned from community organizing and the impact on views of incarceration systemsLinda Small
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Advocacy against restricting physical mail and personal items for incarcerated individualsDenise Spencer
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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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Advocacy for legislative change to protect children during parental arrestsMarketta Sims
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The importance of personal communication and advocacy through phone callsBill Ryan
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Challenges and advocacy efforts by incarcerated individuals during the crack eraKeith Peterkin
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Collaboration between Clean Start and the judicial system for prisoner rehabilitation and release in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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The challenges and bittersweet moments during historic commutations and pardonsAlice Kim
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The development and influence of peer networks in carceral settingsLinda Small
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Ongoing activism and advocacy in various social issues through personal purpose and serviceMarketta Sims
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Experience in leading a coalition and drafting legislation through a collaborative approachAnisah Sabur
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Journey from military service to a career in social work and child welfare reformBill Ryan
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Efforts to abolish the death penalty in Illinois during the 1990sBill Ryan
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Future projects and personal development goalsTiffany Vulcain
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Advocating for women's rights and tackling workplace harassmentLauren Hansen
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Advocacy for reparations and reflections on systemic injustice in ChicagoDarrell Cannon
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Creating and expanding programs for AAPI prisoners and supporting the community through New Breath FoundationEddy Zheng
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Breaking the cycle of incarceration and advocating for reentry services for womenAnisah Sabur
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Advocating for awareness and action on prison conditions and inmate communicationDenise Spencer
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The role of activism and organizing in advocating for changeWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Supporting each other through personal challenges and legislative advocacy effortsDenise Spencer
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Advocacy for access to programs and opportunities in correctional facilities through persistent efforts and grievancesMichelle Clopton
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Navigating the intersection of housing and women's issues through the WCJA board involvementYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Advocacy for change in the death penalty and the importance of personal storiesBill Ryan
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Efforts to prevent the execution of a man due to low IQ and new evidenceBill Ryan
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Dick Cunningham's advocacy against the death penalty and influence on its abolitionBill Ryan
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Efforts and key figures in the coalition to abolish the death penalty in IllinoisBill Ryan
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Encouraging community advocacy and collective action for changeMarketta Sims
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Differences in privilege between violent and non-violent inmates and advocacy for changeMichelle Clopton
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Challenges faced in requesting policy changes for hospital visitation during childbirth in prisonTiffany Vulcain
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The power of public consciousness and civic engagement in legislative changeCassandra Severe
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Using relatable stories for difficult conversations about mass incarceration and economic injustice in IllinoisHeather Jo Canuel
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Advocacy and organizing efforts for humane treatment of incarcerated individualsAnisah Sabur
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The role of advocacy groups in addressing sexual assault and women's rights amidst political challengesLinda Evans
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The transformation from addressing immediate needs to political advocacy within a long-term prisoners' groupLinda Small
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Pressing issues for incarcerated women and gender nonconforming individuals in 2025Linda Evans
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Hopes for a legacy of empowering women and reforming the justice systemLinda Small
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Advocating for incarcerated women's needs and facilitating community engagementYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrating into societyMadeline Mendoza
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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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Navigating challenges as a Black woman advocating for change in government and communityYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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The broader impact of incarceration on women, families, and communitiesLeah Faria
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Educational initiatives and challenges in the Department of CorrectionsBill Ryan
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Advocacy for housing rights for individuals with criminal recordsMaria Moon
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Inspiration from a great-grandfather and the importance of advocacy and serviceMarketta Sims
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Influence of mentors and shifting career paths towards sociology and lobbyingChanel Rhymes
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Advocacy and policy change for humane treatment of incarcerated womenAnisah Sabur
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Reintegration challenges and stigma faced by former prisoners in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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The movement for abolishing the death penalty in Illinois after the 2000 moratoriumAlice Kim
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The importance of acknowledging losses and building relationships in activism and social movementsAlice Kim
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Strategic advocacy techniques for passing legislationHeather Jo Canuel
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Advocacy for support and improved conditions for incarcerated individualsDenise Spencer
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Working with a network of organizations founded by formerly incarcerated individualsHeather Jo Canuel
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Early political experiences and career development in government and campaignsChanel Rhymes
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Disillusionment with political systems and election processesMadeline Mendoza
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Establishment and impact of Illinois' death penalty moratorium and eventual abolitionBill Ryan
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Advocacy efforts for a bill addressing children affected by parental incarcerationMarketta Sims
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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 the Clean Start initiative for women post-imprisonment in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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Advocacy and empowerment during incarceration through writing grievances and building relationshipsHeather Jo Canuel
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Support and positive reception for the Meet Her At The Gate program within the prison systemCassandra Severe
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Advocating for criminal justice reform and second chances after personal experience with the legal systemMichelle Clopton
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Career challenges and resilience after losing a position due to administrative issuesChanel Rhymes
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Inspiration to pursue law from a fellow inmate's determinationRonald Marshall
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