As always, the updated website contains links to new resources for learning about the impact of the criminal legal system and working to change it, links to archives of such resources from the past several years, and links to information about organizations that are working to change the criminal legal system and about the periodic reports and newsletters that they publish
New reports, articles and books. The resources at the tabs Getting Involved and Books, Reports and Articles include a new report at this link: https://mailchi.mp/chicagoappleseed.org/punishing-fear on the devastating impacts of the war on gun possession in Chicago, reports on the first year without cash bail in Illinois, reports and articles on the reforming the prosecutorial function and on demonstrable harms of incarceration, and other online resources for understanding how our criminal legal system systematically results in mass incarceration.
Advocacy. We will soon be in another legislative session in Illinois, and a major legislative priority will be passage of the FAIR ACT to reform the structure and funding of the antiquated and deeply unjust public defender system in Illinois. Access the fact sheet here, and use this action tool to send letters to your legislators to tell them to increase access to public defense by passing the FAIR ACT. In the section of the website on Getting Involved, you will also find a link to use to oppose plans of the Illinois Department of Corrections to stop delivery of physical mail to those incarcerated in its facilities.
Retail Theft. Note also the June article on “The Truth about Retail Theft” from the Vera Institute of Justice, whose conclusions are contrary to the narrative that won the day in this year’s Democratic primary for Cook County State’s Attorney, and which you can read here: https://www.vera.org/news/the-truth-about-retail-theft
Please take a look and consider both how you can get involved and whom else you know who might be interested in the website.