JustDialogue Spring 2021

a reflective journal about social action from JustDane

If George Floyd had justice, he'd be alive.

Holding one individual accountable will not change the system. It will not dismantle structures of oppression and white supremacy.

FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE: ADD SEATS & PASS THE MIC

BY LINDA KETCHAM As I write this, the verdicts of guilty on all counts concluded the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Listening to this trial, to the blatant disregard for George Floyd’s humanity, is a damning indictment of policing in the U.S. It’s a reminder that the trial is not about justice for George Floyd. If George Floyd had justice, he’d be alive. This trial is about whether we will hold one particular actor in the system accountable. Holding one individual accountable will not change the system. It will not dismantle structures of oppression and white supremacy.

Last fall, the Dane County Board approved funds to support a community engagement process to discuss the possibility of creating Continued on page 2

True community justice will have a culture of welcome, inclusion and a real belief in second chances. It will require our community to reimagine public safety.

Participants in JustDane's sessions discussed a proposed Community Justice Center and shared ideas about what it could look like Spring 2021

JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane ADD SEATS & PASS THE MIC continued from P.1 a Community Justice Center (CJC) here. It would be similar to the one that has been operating for decades in Red Hook, New York. JustDane is one of nine organizations asked to facilitate community conversations about the proposal. We held three sessions, specifically inviting people who had lived experience with the justice system.

As I listened to the Derek Chauvin murder trial, I continually was reminded of the words, the experiences, the trauma, and the pain expressed by the individuals who participated in those conversations held here in Dane County.

A recurring theme was the need to truly transform the system in which a CJC would operate in Dane County. Citing personal experiences with police and other justice system players, participants repeatedly expressed a lack of trust in the system to reform itself. They noted that the creation of a Community Justice Center is not a panacea. It will not stop systemic racism within the community,

and it will not address the larger, macro level injustices such as a lack of employment opportunities, wages that are not livable, and a lack of affordable housing and landlords willing to rent to justice-involved people (all of which are required for individuals to be successful). Participants believe it is important for Dane County to understand this: creation of a CJC will not magically fix our system, reform our system, or create opportunities for people to succeed.

The words of participants in our CJC conversations keep running through my mind. They want to be included at every level of decision making on criminal justice in Dane County: planning, site selection, services and projects offered, metrics and goals, funding, evaluation, advocacy and policy change. If people in power pull up more chairs to the table and hand over the mic, our participants are optimistic that the criminal justice system here could be reformed into a restorative, healing model.

In faith, Linda Ketcham, Director

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN DANE COUNTY? In response to this question, most participants shared their belief that the criminal justice system in Dane County is racist and disproportionately impacts people of color.

Participants noted that the overwhelming majority of participants in jail diversion programs, Huber work release, and Drug Court are white. Participants also noted that the police are a major problem within the system, and that policing practices throughout Dane County are racist. Many participants shared very personal stories about their involvement with the system.

Participants felt that the system approaches individuals as if they already have been found guilty and judges them.

A woman shared "When I became involved in the system... it was discouraging. I couldn't get help, I couldn't get information. It felt very punitive, like things were set for me to fail."

Another participant told us "...it's exhausting. The system criminalizes poverty. I was in jail because I got a ticket for not wearing my seat belt and I couldn't afford the ticket. When I didn't pay, they issued a warrant for me and I was arrested..."

A third participant said "I was encouraged to plead guilty, but no one told me how that would affect me in the future. I don't feel like I got good representation."

A participant described his feelings "The Dane County system is no more than a copy of the system across the U.S. and is designed for the elite...this goes all the way back to slave patrols.

It's about controlling people... and keeping power."

IS DANE COUNTY LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF JUSTICE INVOLVED PEOPLE? JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community

THE OVERALL TONE WAS SKEPTICAL

This issue of JustDialogue includes honest feedback from justice involved individuals about what they think it will take to achieve meaningful reform of the criminal justice system here in Dane County. Participants were skeptical about getting buy-in from the police, jail, DA, judges and DOC to help individuals be successful. Without buy-in from these key partners, the sense was that it would be setting people up to fail.

Among the questions asked of justice involved individuals with lived experience: What are your thoughts about the criminal justice system in Dane County?

What could help make a community justice center successful?

What services should be provided?

How can the needs of the community be centered?

Who should be involved in development of such a center?

What might be the challenges?

..

Our report to the County was 10 pages. In this issue of JustDialogue we present a summary of the most salient themes raised across questions and groups. For full report, visit our JustDane News website page or click here.

WHAT COULD HELP MAKE A COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER SUCCESSFUL? To be successful, people with lived experience need to be at the table at every decision point. That includes site selection, building and programmatic design. Agencies that provide support for a CJC should have specific experience and expertise in knowing how to deliver support for justice involved individuals. Participants noted that they experience a difference between an agency that has supports specifically designed for justice involved individuals compared to an agency that happens to have someone who is justice involved in their program. To be successful, there should be lots of alternatives to jail, not just drug court. There should be a continual evaluation of who has access to the CJC, and of racial disparities related to who is using the CJC and benefitting from the available alternatives.

There is a distrust that the system itself would change if the same people who created the current system are left in charge of creating the CJC. Beyond establishing a CJC, there also have to be reforms so people can have the opportunities they need to be successful. It will be non-judgmental. To be successful it cannot be run by the individuals responsible for the current system, including the Courts, DOC, law enforcement, jail - or even by the County - as all of these players have little credibility. It should be run by an Advisory Committee that includes people in the programs, people with lived experience, people from the agencies providing services, and representatives from funders.

“Just creating this Center won’t change my opinion of the system – not until we see results and [see] how people are treated, and whether input from these sessions is incorporated..."

justdane.org

JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane

WHAT SERVICES SHOULD A CJC PROVIDE?

There was agreement a Criminal Justice Center needs a full range of broad community supports, including: food pantry legal assistance mental health & AODA treatment phones computer labs parenting services (like JustDane's Parenting Inside Out) hobby & leisure space

peer support case management housing eviction prevention support laundry storage transportation childcare

trauma support job training benefit specialists healthcare counseling recovery groups (more than just 12 steps: groups like Smart Recovery and Women for Sobriety)

One participant noted, “Services should be wraparound like what I experienced at JustDane with Just Bakery, Circles of Support, trauma groups and peer support.” Others want services to include volunteer opportunities for justice involved people to give back to their community as a restorative practice. Services should be evidence based and focus on empowerment, building people up - not tearing them down. Services should be available to singles as well as families, and be inclusive for everyone, including the LGBTQ community.

WHAT MIGHT BE THE CHALLENGES?

Participants felt that unrealistic expectations on the part of the County, and whether the County is willing to work toward addressing systemic injustices, would be obvious challenges. When measuring success of a CJC, the consensus was that any outcome measures and goals need to consider several broad societal factors.

Economic justice?

"When you don’t have jobs that pay livable wages… the jobs and housing market work against us.”

Will Dane County examine, include and value lived experience?

Justice involved individuals from all racial, ethnic, gender and gender identities must be included and hired.

Defense attorneys are the 2nd most often recommended group participants want to be involved in a CJC. Defense attorneys, more than DAs, know about gaps and challenges that face people in the system.

Agencies that provide supportive services specific to reentry and justice. Include agencies with this capacity.

Adequate funding?

The question of funding came up in every conversation. Failure to fully fund the CJC and services, while touting the creation of a CJC, is not justice. This would create high expectations, and give the illusion that supports are available, when in fact such supports are not accessible. Participants fear that if services really aren’t available, they will be blamed for failing to succeed. Then the Center will lose wide community support. In the words of one participant, “the county ought to be willing to spend at least as much on a CJC as they are on a jail and the Sheriff’s budget.” That same participant expressed her doubt that this would ever be the case.

HOW TO CENTER COMMUNITY NEEDS? Focus on what people on supervision say they need and would find useful

“Don’t set us up to fail because you say you created something that you didn’t fully create, and left holes.

That happens a lot with County funded stuff.”

There was little confidence that law enforcement agencies would support a CJC and some participants fear police might actually target people involved in the CJC as a way to sabotage it.

Choose a welcoming location For participants, the idea of seeking services in a building where they had to report to their agent, and where they were taken into custody and revoked, was a huge trigger and a non-starter in terms of engagement in anything positive happening in that building. They said the recent siting of the Triage Center in an old Probation and Parole office is a sign that the County doesn’t understand trauma and triggering.

JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community

Just Bakery

A BUSY YEAR SO FAR AT JUSTDANE

One cohort completed; a 2nd is finishing up; orientation for a 3rd is ready to go Baked 14,000 loaves of bread since March 2020 for area pantries at no cost to them

The Journey Home Our 2nd Parenting Inside Out cohort finished - 3rd cohort tentatively scheduled in July We had our 1st Journey Home Service Fair in a year (virtual) The Phoenix Initiative support group of 15-20 people continues Monday meetings

Healing House We welcomed 8 families (30 individuals); when one family left because they found permanent housing, a new family moved in to safely rest and recuperate

Circles of Support 17 Circles have been meeting with program participants returning from incarceration One Circle participant got a great new job: full-time, $18 per hour, with benefits

Drive to Succeed Continues to provide support for justice involved youth through one-to-one and group mentoring; the 2nd cohort finished; a 3rd cohort starts in late June

Peer Support Certified Peer Support Specialists meet regularly with over 20 people in the community, drawing upon their lived experiences to support our participants

Rapid Rehousing Eleven justice-involved individuals enrolled in this reentry program; 5 people are now in permanent housing; 5 await final approvals for their apartments. Rapid Rehousing pays 100% of rent for up to 12 months and provides case management and other supports.

It's the 1st reentry focused rapid rehousing program in Wisconsin!

Our goal: assist 22 participants by May 2022, with 17 finding stable housing Restorative Justice & Reentry Simulation Two JustDane staff participated in the first ever virtual Restorative Justice cohort for women at the WI Resource Center. Parenting from the inside was the focus.

Three UW-Madison interns studying Criminal Justice began to update our simulation Advocacy Our reentry staff attended 6 court hearings to advocate for program participants Our small bail fund bailed 3 people out of jail. Dane Co. Board Fines & Fees Subcommittee will recommend ways to stop criminalization of poverty in Dane Co. Housing Access Three area agencies reached out to us to refer justice involved individuals they were working with who are struggling with housing. Why? Because they know that for nearly 20 years JustDane has assisted justice involved people to find housing.

JustConversations JUSTCONVERSATIONS

Our new monthly community conversation series addresses important, timely issues such as current health conditions in Wisconsin prisons, voter disenfranchisement for justice involved individuals, and local restaurants doing social good. We also hosted a Madison Common Council Candidate Forum on "What Makes a Just Madison?"

JustDane's work happens because of incredibly dedicated and skilled staff and the generosity of our volunteers and financial donors.

We appreciate you.

justdane.org

JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane

Thank you to our generous supporters!

You help us transform individual lives and social systems to create a just and equitable community.

Sponsors

Supporters

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church Lakeview Lutheran Church The Buck Foundation Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church SPL Legacy Foundation Madison Community Foundation First United Methodist Church Bethel Community Services Corp.

National Guardian Life Franciscan Sisters of Mary United Way of Dane County

Planned giving offers vital support to JustDane while advancing your personal values and legacy. (To discuss making a planned gift: kathy@justdane.org )

Movie Night at the Mallards' Duck Pond Drive-In Lets get together for a night of delicous BBQ, drinks, Just Bakery treats and an amazing familyfriendly PG flick, while supporting JustDane!

Saturday, August 28 7:15pm onwards Tickets $35 per person

Get your JustDane T-shirt!

"I Lift Up JustDane.

What is your Superpower?"

To buy tickets (for yourself or a program participant) & order T-shirts visit our calendar of events for August 28th at: justdane.org/events JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community

Volunteer Spotlight

PAT EATON MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Pat Eaton has been a valued member of JustDane's Circles of Support team for nearly four years, having served on four circles during that time. A Circle of Support is a small team of community volunteers that provides an indispensable support system for an individual navigating the barriers to reentry after leaving prison. In addition to this role, Pat accompanies our staff on in-reach visits to the institutions, plays simulated roles in our Reentry Simulations, and helps raise money and awareness for Healing House.

Pat came to this volunteer work by way of another experience, in which she drove a family from Madison to Kettle Moraine Correctional Institute to visit their son who was incarcerated there. During those rides, she learned how incarceration affected families and how difficult reentry is for those returning to the community.

After attending one of JustDane's (then MUM) luncheons, she happily "jumped in with both feet" to support our mission.

Pat is married, has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. She has an active social life and enjoys reading, cooking, and travel. Check out some more fun facts about Pat!

What is your favorite book?

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

New York City for its energy and diversity.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Be thankful.

What are you really good at?

I have endless curiosity!

We are so grateful for the invaluable gifts each one of our volunteers brings to our agency.

Please visit our website at justdane.org/volunteer/ to check out our volunteer opportunities and apply today. We look forward to you being part of our team!

JUSTCONVERSATIONS Join us for our monthly conversation series!

We envisioned this series to engage our neighbors in discussion around important, timely issues that are affecting our community. Our hope is to highlight the good work that JustDane is doing while also amplifying the voices of partner organizations and individuals making a difference in the community. By coming together in conversation, we can form new collaborations, inform and engage advocates, and create solutions.

Find out how to attend our next JustConversation by visiting our calendar of events: justdane.org/events.

Check out our previous JustConversations by visiting JustDane's YouTube Channel. justdane.org

Madison-area Urban Ministry, dba 2115 South Park Street Madison, Wisconsin 53713 (608) 256-0906 justdane.org

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Special thanks to Urban Root Creative for our new look!

STAY CONNECTED WITH US!

JUSTCONVERSATIONS

Housing for all?

Wednesday, June 23 (6:00 - 8:00 pm) Join on Zoom justdane.org/events or Facebook In this session of our series we’ll talk about what the demand for housing justice looks like in Madison and Dane County. We’ll explore public policy options and local efforts to address homelessness and expand affordable housing. We'll introduce Rapid Rehousing at JustDane.

Panelists Heidi Wegleitner, Attorney & Dane County Supervisor Robin Sereno, Executive Director of Tenant Resource Center Shanita Lawrence, Resource Specialist at JustDane Facilitator: Kim Wolf, Rapid Rehousing Specialist at JustDane

JustDialogue is a reflective journal of social action by JustDane staff. The positions expressed here are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the board of directors or funding sources of JustDane. For information about JustDane initiatives visit our website and follow us on social media. justdane.org