In the News

American College of Trial Lawyers honors Illinois Prison Project with prestigious Emil Gumpert Award

Award will help provide legal representation to medically vulnerable incarcerated people seeking compassionate release

Why juveniles pick up a gun, and how a community can intervene

Formerly incarcerated IPP Ambassador Fatima Monteiro was quoted on WGLT-NPR, sharing her experience as a young single mom: "[Incarceration] can happen to anyone ... when you need to feed your kids, you’re going to do what you need to do.”

Democratic lawmakers struggle to find consensus on criminal justice measures

This article describes many reforms that IPP is fighting for, including an end to harmful "truth in sentencing" laws that keep people trapped in prison for decades. IPP Ambassador Ronnie Carrasquillo said, "It becomes like you're walking in meaningless time.You're just up every day -- for what?"

This Mother’s Day, remember domestic violence, trauma survivors

Tammy Englerth is a mom & criminalized domestic violence survivor who left prison in January after a successful clemency petition. For Mother's Day, she published a powerful op-ed calling for reforms to protect + support survivors, instead of punish them.

Former Death Row Inmates on the Complicated Legacy of Late Illinois Gov. George Ryan

PP's Education Director Renaldo Hudson and IPP Ambassador Stanley Howard appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the complicated legacy of former governor George Ryan and the experience of being incarcerated on death row.

Panel at Heartland explores the psychological toll of prison and post-prison life

In April, Heartland College hosted a panel discussion among formerly incarcerated IPP leaders, who shared their experiences of incarceration, re-entry, and healing.