Illinois Prison Project

Once a person is imprisoned, indigent defense stops. But the gravity of mass incarceration demands legal representation to the very end. Please read and share this important piece by IPP Executive Director Jenny Soble in Inquest. https://lnkd.in/gmK7xZPP

We are thrilled to welcome Deon Griggs to IPP’s Women and Survivors Project as a Survivor Advocate, where he assists in reentry planning and advocacy for clients. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Deon’s family members experienced unaddressed mental health challenges and gender-based violence. This experience led him to work supporting folks who face criminalization by the system. Prior to joining IPP, Deon worked as an advocate in Family Defense for Mothers in North Tulsa, where he assisted mothers in system navigation and advocated for them while they faced DHS involvement. In this work, Deon implemented strategies to combat the criminalization of mothers by the child welfare system, combating systems of oppression and advocating for those who face dehumanization and criminalization by the state. WELCOME DEON! #MeetIPP

We are so excited for tomorrow's Lunch + Learn, where formerly incarcerated IPP Ambassadors will explore the causes of mass incarceration, the impact on communities, and innovative strategies for fostering resilience and opportunities for those reentering society. Join the conversation at 12pm CT on Thursday, 9/26 here: https://ow.ly/Iu3A50TvpOc

IPP paralegal Sophia Goebel supports IPP’s Three Strikes and Veterans campaigns. Previously, Sophia was a paralegal at Jenner & Block, assisting on prisoner rights matters, including civil suits against private prison contractor Wexford Health Sources. Welcome, Sophia! #MeetIPP

Logan Bay is IPP’s first-ever Operations Manager, where he manages daily internal operations, processes, and administrative functions. Logan champions streamlined people operations and cultures built with compassionate communication that ensure resilience, growth, and fiscal responsibility. Logan is also a board member of Chicago-based nonprofits Public Media Institute and Frida Community Organization. In his free time you might find him DJing at finer Chicago events and establishments. Welcome Logan! #MeetIPP

As IPP’s new Joe Coleman Medical Release Act Legal Coordinator, attorney Monica Smith works closely with members of the private bar to provide legal representation to medically vulnerable individuals in medical release hearings. Before joining IPP, Monica served as Associate Director of the Beyond Jails Initiative at Vera Institute of Justice; coordinated nationwide decarceral efforts at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights; and served as Director of Court Advocacy at the Youth Justice Network. Monica began her career as a Public Defender in Kentucky and later in Louisiana. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and J. D. from Southern University Law Center. Welcome Monica! #MeetIPP

In IPP's next Lunch & Learn, IPP Ambassadors Calandra Hulitt and Rogelio Richart will explore the root causes of mass incarceration, the impact on communities, and innovative strategies for fostering resilience and opportunities for those reentering society. Through this insightful conversation, we aim to highlight the importance of community support, narrative reform, and restorative justice in building a more equitable and inclusive future for all! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gDTWwqU8

BRAG ALERT! IPP staff attorney Nadia Woods was featured on the COVER STORY of this month's Loyola Law magazine, where she discusses her path to social and criminal justice work, her success in freeing medically vulnerable people from incarceration, and the root causes of mass incarceration. We ♥️ Nadia! https://lnkd.in/dtmw7FbA

Lyric Opera's "Fidelio" is a classical exploration of the pursuit of justice and freedom set in an American prison. Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 7-9 pm for a panel discussion between IPP and Lyric artists exploring the themes of the show and how the pursuit of justice continues today. At the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street in Chicago. RSVP HERE: https://lnkd.in/gRWNxMFT

This excellent article from The Appeal and the Chicago Reader highlights the case of IPP client Timothy Jones, who – under the “felony murder” rule – received a 28-year sentence at age 22 for a death caused by a police officer. The felony murder rule has been criticized for punishing people for conduct they did not directly commit, and has been outlawed in most countries outside the U.S. Felony murder overwhelmingly targets people of color, destroying lives and communities. In Illinois, Black people are 23 TIMES more likely to be incarcerated for felony murder than white people. https://ow.ly/6sXE50ThIrA