Criminal Justice

Introduction to AFSC's criminal justice work in Michigan

Responding to thousands of requests each year for information and assistance, tracking trends in the prison system, conducting parole readiness workshops -- AFSC Michigan's Criminal Justice Program advocates for prisoners with the help of dedicated interns. In this video, Natalie Holbrook, Program Director, provides an overview of the program.

Pete talks parole readiness

Pete Martel, AFSC Michigan Criminal Justice Program Associate, talks about the parole readiness workshops which he and Natalie Holbrook, AFSC Program Director, conduct with prisoners in Michigan.

Interns advocate for prisoners in Michigan

Interns with AFSC Michigan's Criminal Justice Program describe their experiences advocating on behalf of prisoners in Michigan and share what they've learned about the prison system and themselves.

Reset the scales of CA justice

 Election Day showed that the public is leaning toward more restorative justice policies. Read more.

The Caging of America

This is an interesting article on the Caging of America that we recommend:

 

New York Times Article

A Critic at Large
The Caging of America
Why do we lock up so many people?
by Adam Gopnic

January 30, 2012

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2012/01/30/120130crat_atlarge_gopnik?currentPage=all

"Conviction"

Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 7:00pm

This Hollywood film tells the true story of a sister’s unwavering devotion to her brother. When Betty Anne Waters’ (two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank) older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to overturning the murder conviction, putting herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18 year quest to free Kenny.

Contact Information: 

Box office: (603) 436-2400, or http://www.themusichall.org/calendar/event/conviction.

Email: 
kcooper@nodeathpenaltynh.org

The New Jim Crow book discussion

Friday, October 22, 2010 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Documents: 
The New Jim Crow

Fulfilling a Purpose in the Community

Omari Williams

Omari Williams and son, Nyjae

Omari Williams was only 19 when he was handed his first prison sentence. After his release at 21, he became part of a dauntingly high recidivism rate and returned to prison for a second time.

This summer, nearly two decades after he first entered the system, Omari once more found himself a free man after he was released from the Maryland Correctional Training Center (MCTC) in Hagerstown, Maryland. He is absolutely certain that he will not be returning for a third time, and one of the reasons is his involvement with AFSC’s Friend of a Friend project.

The Fair Sentencing of Youth Conference

Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 1:00pm

SPONSORED BY THE IOWA COALITION 4 JUVENILE JUSTICE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

JODY KENT 

DIRECTOR AND NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE FAIR SENTENCING OF YOUTH. 

Judy works with advocates around the country to end the practice of sentencing Youth to ‘life without the possibility of parole’.

The conference will organize supporters about the issues of 

(1) disproportionate minority contract, 

Contact Information: 

Sr. JoAnne Talarico, CHM of the Board of the Iowa Coalition 4 Juvenile Justice,  cackyt@earthlink.net or Ricky at philosopherricky@gmail.com

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has office around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.

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