Justice for Black Lives: Reforming the Criminal Legal System

For all communities to thrive, we must prioritize policies that keep families together and end the inequities that systematically and disproportionately disenfranchise Black and Latino/a/x people.

Black and Latino/a/x people are overrepresented in the criminal legal system, and their children are disproportionately present in the parallel foster system. These systems marginalize low-income people, especially those of color, keep them in a cycle of poverty, and depress their lifetime economic stability.

The Shriver Center held a panel discussion on September 22, 2020, to explore ways to keep communities safe and families together by advocating for policies that reduce the states’ reliance on jails and prisons.

Panelists included:

• Patrice James, Director of Community Justice, Shriver Center on Poverty Law
• Anntionetta Harper, Community Member
• Jennifer Soble, Executive Director, Illinois Prison Project
• Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons

Moderated by:

• Kathleen Grillo, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Verizon

Sponsored by:

Learn more. Register for our upcoming webinar series, Spotlight on the Foster System.