by Michael SimmonsCW: This post includes stories about suicidal ideation.I remember the first time I wanted to kill myself. It was the day of what was supposed to be a fun game of football between two teams of freshman high school students. During the game, a play was called in the huddle, and our [...]Read More
Locked in Solidarity 2023: Addressing Mental Health and Trauma from Juveniles through Reentry
Navigate this webpage:Introduction to LIS 2023It’s that time of year again! Locked in Solidarity, CCDA’s awareness & action week on mass incarceration, is February 5-13, 2023. Mark your calendars and rally your community for this important annual focus. We were able to gather [...]Read More
LIS 2022 Recap
Participant HighlightsLIS FriendsLIS Friends is an informal band of CCDA leaders & partners from cities across the United States who share a common passion for mass incarceration, and who seek company, wisdom and practical assistance in local engagement and collective, national response. We [...]Read More
A Call to Remember those in Prison
by Douglas Cupery, Church Mobilization Director at Crossroads Prison MinistriesAt Crossroads Prison Ministries, we are keenly aware of the many challenges that mass incarceration poses to the thousands of men and women we serve—and to our nation. In anticipation of the Christian Community [...]Read More
Is there hope to end mass incarceration?
I occasionally speak to churches and other Christian gatherings about my research, on the history of American religion, crime, and punishment. After I walk through the history of Christian contributions to the creation and maintenance of America’s systems of mass incarceration, I often receive some [...]Read More
The Imago Dei in Us All
Written by: Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs & Rev. Kevin BurnsJohnny is only in the fourth grade, but he has already been labeled by his teachers as a problem. He can’t sit still. He is disrespectful. He can’t keep his hands to himself. He is picked on by other students and is constantly getting in fights. [...]Read More
Local Network Changing Culture in Knoxville
After formalizing their CCDA Local Network at the end of last year, Knoxville has hit the ground running. I had the unique opportunity to interview two of their local network connectors, Jonathan Haskell & Pastor Chris Battle. Listening to their perspectives on the amazing ways their [...]Read More
Unlocked: An Open Mic Night for LIS 2018
150 people gathered for “Unlocked: An Open Mic Night” at Rosebud Coffee in Pasadena, California to celebrate and amplify the voices, performances, and visual art pieces of communities impacted by mass incarceration. The night included 20 artists who debuted their art publicly, some for the [...]Read More