Meghan Tobin’s Post

Prison education programs have roots dating back to the 1800s! Initially focused on religious instruction, these early programs evolved over the years, emphasizing literacy, vocational training, and personal development. Today, organizations like the Freedom to Choose Project are revolutionizing prison rehabilitation through innovative methods that equip incarcerated individuals with tools for self-reflection, emotional intelligence, and life-changing skills. By emphasizing education and healing, we strive to end the cycle of incarceration and create brighter futures for individuals, their families, and our communities. 📚 #PrisonEducation #incarcerated #incarceration #prisonreform #prisoneducation #nonprofit

This is from Florida Cares: If you are directly impacted by our broken criminal justice system, please join us on Zoom. If you are not registered, you MUST register first by going to FloridaCaresCharity.org Zoom Online Classes Instagram Post (8) Click on this Zoom Link Thursdays at 6:30 pm (est) to join in! all done - vote your inerests - Equity Vote In Your Interest While the bill passed the entire legislature, Governor DeSantis vetoed a bill which would make it easier for your incarcerated loved one to obtain a college education. He is not FOR us… CS/SB 62 would have allowed an incarcerated person to retain residency status during incarceration. This would allow incarcerated people to be eligible for the discounted rate of higher education upon release that all Florida residents enjoy. For those who are unaware, the rates to attend a college or a university in Florida is far less expensive for Florida residents than it is for those who come from other states. Still it was our Governor's statement that “we should not reward criminal activity by providing inmates with the same benefits as law-abiding citizens.” What seems to escape the Governor is the common sense question of how do we expect those who are released from incarceration to earn a living and contribute to society when we shun them at every turn. They can not find housing, they can not find employment, and now, if they want to better themselves with a college education, they will pay double and triple what other Florida residents pay. It is strange how people in prison are counted for the purpose of drawing district lines and in a census but they are not counted when it comes to matters that would help them directly. Until we stop electing people like this, our incarcerated loved ones will not have a fighting chance post incarceration. The Governor made it clear prior to being elected and many times since, that he does not see the need to help those who have been or are incarcerated. His veto is a stark reminder that we need leaders who believe in a second chance not building more prisons. Legislators hold the power to shape and reform criminal justice laws in Florida.

Join The Ripple by visiting. https://lnkd.in/g4wVUffy - Make. A. Difference Important reasons why joining the ripple is important it not only impacts those in the system but those outside and indirectly involved.    In-reach programs into jails and prisons aim to link individuals who are incarcerated with community service providers to address their needs before release and support their reentry into the community as well as assist in the habilitation while in incarceration. These programs often involve connecting inmates with primary care providers, identifying health conditions, and establishing care plans to address housing, mental health, communication and substance use needs. In-reach initiatives have been shown to improve housing outcomes, reduce recidivism, and support successful reintegration into the community. Max Brandel Laurie Lazar Melissa Denino #reentry #mentalhealth #behavioralhealthcare

Not a day goes by when I’m not blown away by the work being done by the Switchback team. Last week, during our November board meeting, Jim (a Switchback Mentor) shared the story of one of our Trainees. The passion and tenacity he showed reminded me of why I believe so deeply in this organisation. 🤯 Imagine this: you’ve just been released from #prison. You’re handed £82 and a plastic bag of belongings. No plan, no home, no job - just the daunting reality of starting over. For thousands of young men, this is their reality. Nationally, 45% of people leaving prison #reoffend within a year. Switchback proves it doesn’t have to be this way. 💡 With our dedicated Mentors, only 9% of Switchback Trainees reoffend. That’s because we don’t offer a quick fix - we provide unwavering, 1-1 mentoring "for as long as it takes" (something Jim spoke about). From #housing and #relationships to #work and #finances, we help young prison leavers build the stability they need to thrive. But we need your help to make this possible 👇 🌟 This year, we’re aiming to provide intensive mentoring support to 80 young men, ensuring they achieve real, lasting change. To do this, we need to raise £40,000 through the Switchback Big Give Campaign. Your donation will help: 🔸 Fund vital mentoring for young men transitioning from prison to community life. 🔸 Break the cycle of reoffending, reducing costs to society and creating brighter futures. 🔸 Empower Trainees to achieve stability in education, employment, and beyond. 💡 Every pound makes a difference. Double your impact by donating during the Big Give, where your donation will be matched pound-for-pound! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTC-Dv-S Huge thanks on behalf of the Switchback team ✨

#HauntedTexasThemePark is committed to being a place of #opportunity and #inclusion, especially for those formerly convicted of crimes and individuals who have served #prison time. We believe in the power of #secondchances and the potential for every person to contribute meaningfully to society. Our park will actively seek to hire #justiceimpacted individuals, providing them with stable #employment, skill development, and a supportive community. This initiative aims to reduce #recidivism by offering practical pathways to #reintegration and personal growth. In addition to #employmentopportunities, we are dedicated to raising funds for programs that support prison recidivism initiatives. By partnering with organizations that specialize in #rehabilitation and #reentry, we will help fund educational workshops, mentorship programs, and other resources that empower former inmates to rebuild their lives. Haunted Texas Theme Park is more than just an entertainment destination; it is a beacon of hope and transformation for #secondchancecommunities, demonstrating our commitment to creating positive #societalchange and fostering a more inclusive future.

Impact Justice and Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC)'s new #InsideImpact fund takes #participatorygrantmaking to a whole new level: empowering #incarceratedpeople to decide what they want and need, while a committee of formerly incarcerated people decides which applications to fund. #InsideImpact is about recognizing the humanity of the people our society imprisons -- which, IMHO, is a fundamental #publicsafety approach. From the article: "As of 2021, the U.S. spent an annual average of at least $81 billion incarcerating people, many of whom are living examples of the cliché that “hurt people hurt more people.” Meanwhile, some funders spend millions on education for some of those same incarcerated individuals. The question is, what might happen if more funders and others were to follow the lead of efforts like Inside Impact and Gordon Philanthropies and spend much less money per project to allow incarcerated people to lead more fully human lives? Education and therapy are essential, but they can only go so far to help people heal, particularly in a system that deprives them of empowerment and humanity overall." #cjreform #philanthropy #microgrants #grantmaking #prisonreform #publicsafety Alexander Busansky Joshua Hoe Inside Philanthropy

👥 "It takes a village to raise a child, but what if it takes an entire community to rehabilitate an individual?" At Make Time Count, we’re turning this vision into reality. We partner with Clinks, a charity dedicated to supporting voluntary organisations working across the criminal justice system. 💡 Learn more about how we’re revolutionising justice partnerships with technology below: #CriminalJustice #Rehabilitation #TechForGood #CommunitySupport #InnovationInJustice

Explore how professionals working in juvenile detention and probation can utilize empathetic, informed approaches to support youth from marginalized communities, breaking cycles of trauma and systemic challenges. https://wix.to/KywBCGX #newblogpost #juveniledetention #juvenileprobation #youthincarceration #youthempowerment #mentorship #youthdevelopment #prevention #intervention #education

HM Inspectorate of Probation’s thematic inspection report explores the experiences of Black and Mixed Heritage boys in the youth justice system and is an important read. 📰 The report suggests early intervention is crucial to prevent more Black and Mixed Heritage boys from entering the system. ⚖ Many of the boys in the inspected cases faced multiple disadvantages. 60% of those who had received a court sentence had been excluded from school, half had faced racial discrimination in their life, a third had been victims of criminal exploitation and 25% had a disability. Many of these children are only receiving support with these needs for the first time through the criminal justice system. HM Inspectorate of Probation makes several recommendations to improve services for Black and Mixed heritage boys. 📑 Read the report ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eT9Tv74X #YouthJustice #BlackHistoryMonthUK

Free books! Teachers of incarcerated students: check out this list of titles if you are in need of textbooks for your students.