Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Conversations of Consequence: America’s Criminal Justice System
“Prison isn’t a place of corrections - it’s a place of warehousing.”
On Friday, August 5, Jarrett Adams shared the powerful story of fighting for his innocence while incarcerated to dedicating his life to fighting for the innocent as an attorney after his exoneration.
At the City Club, we’re committed to bringing you conversations of consequence that affect our community and our world. Mr. Adams’ was the latest voice in an ongoing conversation we’ve had centered on America’s criminal justice system. Over the last two years, we’ve featured many distinguished speakers who’ve addressed issues of race, class, mental illness, justice, and injustice as it pertains to who we incarcerate and why.
We encourage you to listen to all these speakers and their perspectives.
“Our criminal justice project is a national disgrace.”
Neil Barsky, Publisher at The Marshall Project, in September 2014.
“A community is not judged by how it treats the wealthy. It’s judged by how it treats the poor and incarcerated.”
Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, on injustice in the criminal justice system in March, 2015.
“One bad decision should not influence someone’s entire life.”
Brandon Chrostowski, CEO of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, on the changing face of re-entry in September, 2015.
“A father might be locked in – but should never be locked out – of a daughter’s life.”
Angela Patton, CEO of Girls for a Change, on the father-daughter relationship when the father is incarcerated in November, 2015.
“Redemption can be a very powerful motivator when it comes to creating positive change.”
Ernie Drain, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute graduate, during a panel discussion on the past, present, and future of re-entry programs in March, 2016.
“Ohio has been on the front lines of mental health reform, but you still have five times more prisoners than patients.”
Pete Earley, Mental Health Advocate and author, on the intersection of our justice and mental health systems in May, 2016.