Insights & Information

The University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, is hosting a one-day Policy and Practice Symposium to examine contemporary issues within the criminal justice system, criminal justice reform efforts, youth and justice, and community collaboration. Internationally known litigator-turned-legal-scholar Michelle Alexander will present an incisive critique of the current social justice system and examine the historical and controversial drug policy referred to as the “War on Drugs” in her keynote address. 1.5 CE units can be earned by social workers and counselors attending Alexander’s keynote address. For more information, click here or here.

April 12, 2012
12:45PM - 9:00PM
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL

Before Illinois' meritorious good time (MGT) program was suspended in 2010, individuals serving time in Illinois prisons for non-violent offenses could have up to 180 days of incarceration deducted as a reward for good behavior. MGT was halted when it became clear that some individuals were being released before they had spent sufficient time in IDOC. This issue has since been resolved, and Illinois law now requires inmates to serve at least 60 days in prison before they can receive any good time credit.

Since MGT was suspended, Illinois has increased its prison population by 4,000. At a time when other states are successfully and responsibly reducing their prison populations, Illinois currently houses a record-high 49,000 people in state prisons. Medium and minimum-security facilities, which primarily hold low-level, non-violent offenders, face the most severe crowding. These conditions impede rehabilitation efforts and create dangerous environments for both staff and inmates. MGT is widely recognized as a necessary corrections management tool; it is supported by research as an effective incentive for good behavior. The current situation of incarcerating more people for longer periods of time is extremely expensive to Illinois taxpayers. As Illinois is facing historic budget shortfalls, the reinstatement of MGT would help save scarce public dollars.

If you would like to add your voice to the growing numbers advocating the program's responsible reinstitution, click here for a letter you can personalize and mail to Governor Quinn.

Join in a discussion with Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), on envisioning America without a "War on Drugs." DPA advocates drug policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights. Given that more than $1 billion has been spent on America’s war on drugs since its inception in 1971, the event will consider what public policies would look like if the war on drugs ended tomorrow; what sorts of opportunities there would be for increased treatment, drug education, and harm reduction activities; what the U.S. could do with the money that is now spent on the war on drugs; and how much money is currently spent on pursuing these often devastatingly harmful policies under the pursuit of the drug war. The event is provided for free by Roosevelt University’s Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (Roosevelt University Chapter). For more information, click here.

February 7, 2012
4:30PM - 6:00PM
Roosevelt University
Congress Lounge (2nd Floor)
RSVP kkane@roosevelt.edu

"Not Guilty!" A Conference to Abolish the Prison Industrial Complex will be an open forum for representatives of local groups to share their experiences, campaigns, and initiatives, and discuss ideas for joint action geared towards dismantling facets of the prison industrial complex. Following presentations, there will be an informal gathering where attendees can break out into smaller discussion groups, socialize, and bridge networks. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

February 3-4, 2012
Multikulti
1000 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642