Correctional News: Chicago Beyond Hosts Second National Justice Convening

National philanthropic organization Chicago Beyond hosted its second National Justice Convening Oct. 29-30 in Chicago. The gathering aimed to improve safety for people within U.S. jails and prisons, showcasing practical strategies to implement Chicago Beyond’s Holistic Safety Framework into facilities, using real-world examples of collaboration as successful case studies.

Attendees represented more than half of the states in the U.S. and collectively represented systems impacting 15% of incarcerated people and 20% of correctional staff nationwide.

This year’s agenda centered on the goal of driving change for people involved in and impacted by corrections nationwide. Those in attendance included correctional administrators, people formerly incarcerated, correctional union leaders and staff members as well as partners from Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, Nebraska, Vermont and more. There were also several powerful instances where the voices of people currently incarcerated were included through virtual platforms and audio recordings.

With a theme of “Connection in Corrections” the gathering focused on the power of connection and uplifted the remarkable work happening in correctional facilities across the country. Event programming also shed light on efforts to reconsider punitive mental models in corrections and embrace more humanity and dignity for all.

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