On April 24th the U.S. Department of Justice kicked off the first-ever National Reentry Week. Voices saw an opportunity to add to this important effort by highlighting the intersections between the criminal and civil justice systems and drawing media attention to the crucial role of civil legal aid in reentry. We asked JusticeVoices Network members to seize this media opportunity by writing op-eds and pitching stories to local media about the innovative reentry work they are doing in their communities.
On April 24th the U.S. Department of Justice kicked off the first-ever National Reentry Week. Voices saw an opportunity to add to this important effort by highlighting the intersections between the criminal and civil justice systems and drawing media attention to the crucial role of civil legal aid in reentry.
Civil legal aid advocates help formerly incarcerated individuals achieve the safety and stability necessary to avoid recidivism and build successful lives by sealing or expunging their criminal records, educating people about their rights, helping them avoid unjust fines and fees, negotiating fair debt settlements and child support obligations, and by pushing back against landlords, schools, and employers with discriminatory policies.
We asked JusticeVoices Network members to seize this media opportunity by writing op-eds and pitching stories to local media about the innovative reentry work they are doing in their communities. Helping our network find and take advantage of these kinds of news hooks is an important part of Voices’ mission and we were glad that several JusticeVoices members gained achieved Reentry Week placements.
Voices had a role in three placements:
Cassandra Capobianco, director of Florida Institutional Legal Services, wrote a heartfelt plea to “officials of good conscience” in her state to provide reentry services to juveniles entangled in the criminal justice system, which was published on Huffington Post: Children Deserve Better from Florida’s Justice System.
Vidhi Sanghovi Joshi, a Skadden Fellow at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, wrote an op-ed for a local newspaper pointing out how the obstacles to housing and employment facing people with criminal records not only prevent successful reentry but end up burdening taxpayers and communities: Roadblocks to Redemption and the Cost to Local Tennesseans.
Nevada Legal Services successfully pitched a story to a local reporter on how their record sealing program helps people with criminal histories have a second chance: Program helps criminals seal their records, start fresh.
We were also pleased to see these stories, which featured JusticeVoices Network members:
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia: How Expanding Legal Services Supports Reentry and Protects Civil Rights, and What I told the Attorney General and the HUD Secretary about my Criminal Record.
Legal Action of Wisconsin: Milwaukee program gets grant for legal services, fighting homelessness.
Cabrini Green Legal Aid: Report: Illinois’ hiring protections ‘minimal’ for those with criminal records.
We love stories like these—stories that use a fresh angle to explore a known problem, but most important, that bring much needed attention to the role of civil legal aid in solving these problems.
Organizations mentioned/involved: Department of Justice (DOJ), Florida Legal Services (FLS), Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Nevada Legal Services, Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Cabrini Green Legal Aid (Chicago) (CGLA)
Geographic coverage: NATIONAL
Tags: Reentry