In the News

Ex-inmate’s auto shop is not just fixing cars, it’s steering lives in the right direction

As soon as IPP Ambassador and Associate Board member Rogelio Richart was released from prison, he rebuilt his father's auto shop, and quickly opened a second location -- all with the mission to train, mentor, and employ formerly incarcerated people.

Advocates push Gov. Evers to issue first commutations in 25 years

IPP Exec. Director Jenny Soble explains why granting commutation should be an act of grace, not a political calculation.

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.