On Saturday September 15th JUST will be hosting a regional conference on decarceration and countering “carceral humanism”.
The schedule and agenda are below, and a flyer with this information is A is attached here: Workshop Agenda Draft Aug 21. Background readings are here.
Closing Jails and Countering “Carceral Humanism
Decarcerate Upstate Regional Meeting
September 15, 2108
Location: Southern Tier Independence Center
135 E. Frederick St, Binghamton NY
Those of us working in the Southern Tier and beyond are encouraged by a growing movement to stem mass incarceration in our areas. It is surprising how much is being done, in very new ways, and through new community organizations.
At the same our very success generated alternatives to incarceration that pose deep and unexpected new problems: mental health and substance use disorder treatment and funding, for example, is being channeled by Sheriffs and Albany into our jails, while new forms of control by the police, courts, and probation, youth, and parole programs have widened the carceral net outside our jails and prisons—often pulling in service providers and community groups.
On Saturday September 15th Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier (JUST) will be hosting a regional conference to pull together our knowledge on these challenges and forge new paths to end mass incarceration while countering these new forms of “carceral humanism”.
Please join us. The event is open to the public. If you are interested in participating in a particular workshop let us know. Also please rsvp so we an plan lunch. And if you need translation or related services tell us (we will provide these as far as our resources permit). Contact us at: justice.southern.tier@gmail.com
An agenda is below. It will be adjusted as participants are confirmed.
Closing Jails and Countering “Carceral Humanism”
Decarcerate Upstate Regional Meeting
September 15, 2018
11:00am
Welcome: Sue Ruff, Advocacy Director STIC
Introductions: Personal and Group Opening Remarks: Justice Alternatives—and Countering “Carceral Humanism” Andy Pragacz
11: 30-12:15 No More Jails
Evolving local strategies in the battle against jail expansions and modernizations.
Chairs: Jack Norton and Andy Pragacz
Lead Participants (5 min presentations): representatives from JUST, Decarcerate Tompkins County, United Voices of Cortland, Vera, and…
12:15-1:00 Bail, Court Watch and Oversight Work
What works upstate? Lessons from ongoing bail and court watch work, working with judges, DAs, courts, community and New York City organizations.
Chairs: Joey Cardamone, Citizen Action
Lead Participants (5 min presentations): Tina Chronopoulos, Bobby Black, Citizen Action, Joey Cardamone, Barrie Gewanter, Zhana Kurti, and…
1:00-1:45: Lunch
1:45-3:00pm Community Health vs. Incarceration
Expanding health, substance use disorder, and disability services in the community—and countering efforts to centralize health and treatment services in jails, police, and courts
Chair: Kevin Revier, Sue Ruff
Lead Participants (5 min presentations): Sue Ruff, Alexis Pleus (TruthPharm), Kevin Revier, Decarcerate Tompkins County, and United Voice of Cortland representatives, and…
3:00-3:15: Break
3:15-4:00: Inside/Out: Supporting the Incarcerated and those Coming Home
Creating and sustaining community support for those incarcerated, their families, and those coming home—as opposed to state-, police- and court-controlled programs.
Chairs: Bryce Lawson, Jessica Farrell
Lead Participants (5 min presentations): Rozann Greco, Bryce Lawson, Tinamarie Gunther, Jessica Farrell (Mental Health Justice Project (Delaware & Otsego Counties)), and…
4:00-4:30: Roundtable: Organizing an Agenda and Alliances for the Coming year
Lessons from working with Albany and state-wide organizations, and setting priorities from the day’s discussions
Chairs: Bill Martin, Mardi Crawford
The workshop will be held at the Southern Tier Independence Center, 135 E Frederick St, Binghamton, NY 13904 (back door entrance on Grant street). It will be adjusted as regional participants suggest changes and participants are confirmed.