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December 2006
December 14, 2006
Showing of new documentary film “Posada: Knocking
on America’s Door”
80,000 to 100,000 children are detained every year as they
attempt to enter the U.S. from Mexico and Central America. This film
relates some of their stories. Filmed on location, “Posada” is produced
and directed by Mark McGregor, a Jesuit who teaches film at Fairfield
University.
Call Mark McGregor, S.J., at (203) 254-4000 ext. 3357 for more information.
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Church of the American Martyrs, Manhattan Beach
December 7, 7pm
Second annual comedy benefit for Death Penalty Focus
Location: Cobb’s Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave, San Francisco
Tickets: $35 and up (doors open at 6pm)
Join Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H and a host of performers and support DFP’s
work
Purchase
tickets >>
Learn more about Death Penalty
Focus >>
December 3, 2006
MSNBC TV documentary
“Beyond Conviction” airs on December 3
This powerful film tells the story of two survivors of horrific
crimes on a journey toward healing and resolution. The film follows
participants through a program of intense face-to-face meetings as victims
and perpetrators work through forgiveness and understanding in the hope
of gaining closure. “Beyond Conviction” was selected as
one of the ten recommended films at the LA Film Festival.
View clip and read director’s view on making the film >>
November 2006
November 15, 2006
Artwork by San Quentin inmates to be shown in San Rafael
The opening exhibition and sale of artwork produced by inmates
at San Quentin State Prison will be held from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, November
15. The inmates’ art instructors will discuss the work and refreshments
will be served. The sale will benefit the Art in Corrections program
and Project Avery, a program for children of prison inmates. The exhibit
will continue weekdays throughout the holiday season.
Location: MarinLink, 2620 Northgate Mall, San Rafael, CA 94903
For more information, call MarinLink at (415) 472-0211
November 13-19, 2006
International Restorative Justice Week
People all over the world are focusing on a Biblical form of
justice that seeks to heal and restore.
Resources to use in your parish >>
November 13, 2006
Marquette Law School to host International
Restorative Justice Conference
Survivors and offenders affected by political conflicts from
the regions of Israel/Palestine, South Africa and Northern Ireland/United
Kingdom will share their personal experiences during the International
Restorative Justice Conference. The event will focus on the healing
process for victims of political violence and their embrace of restorative
justice practices. The Restorative Justice Initiative at Marquette Law
School serves as a resource for victims, communities, and restorative
justice organizations, as a restorative justice clinical experience
for law students, and as a program promoting scholarship, research and
dialogue on restorative justice.
Learn more about the conference >>
November 4, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
6th Annual Restorative Justice Conference
Theme: “A Journey to Justice: Getting Involved in Grassroots
Community Change”
A day to learn about all the restorative justice projects going on in
San Bernardino County and how you can participate. Topics will include
advocacy, conflict resolution, juvenile restorative justice, faith-fased
community action, re-entry and Latino community involvement. Sponsored
by the Diocese of San Bernardino and the Restorative Justice Center.
Download registration form and more information >>
November 3, 2006
“Death & Texas” premieres in Los Angeles
Join Mike Farrell, President of Death Penalty Focus, at the
premier of this “mockumentary” that parodies the legal system of death
in Texas. There will be a Q&A following the screening.
Time: 7:45pm
Location: Laemmle Grand Theatres,
349 S. Figueroa Street, LA, 90071.
October
2006
October 25, 2006
Beyond Zero Tolerance Conference
Use of alcohol and other drugs remains disturbingly high among
secondary school students despite zero-tolerance policies. Join the
San Francisco Medical Society, the Office of the Mayor, the Public Health
Dept. and other top policy makers in California to offer realistic,
pragmatic and cost-effective strategies that will reach and influence
young people. 8am – 4pm in the Fort Mason Conference Center, San
Francisco.
Learn more >>
September
2006
September 23, 2006
Book Club at the California Institution for Women
Maria Amparo Escando will be giving readings from her book
Esperanza’s Box of Saints. Women on the outside will participate
with women on the inside in discussion, Q&A and a book signing.
Contact Erin Runions at erin.runions@pomona.edu
(for English discussion), or Martha Barcenas-Mooradian at martha_barcenas@pitzer.edu
(for Spanish discussion).
Download
event flyer in English >>
Download event flyer
in Spanish >>
September 21, 2006
Pat Nolan scheduled speaker for breakfast in Glendale,
California
Former Assemblyman Pat Nolan, current president of Justice
Fellowship, will be the featured speaker at the Touchpoint and King's
Men's Bible Study Fall Fellowship Breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 21 at
8 a.m. at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale. Justice Fellowship is
the criminal justice reform arm of Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship
Ministries. Justice Fellowship works to reform the criminal justice
system based on the principles of restorative justice found in the Bible.
Nolan, who served 29 months in jail after pleading guilty to one count
of racketeering, is the author of When Prisoners Return which describes
the important role the church can play in helping prisoners get back
on their feet after they are released. Tickets cost $15. Advance reservations
are required and can be made by calling (818) 244-3834.
September 20, 28 and October 19,
2006
Public Hearings on the Status of Women
The California Commission on the Status of Women will be holding
three public hearings throughout California to learn what issues women
and girls are facing and what role the state can play in addressing
them, including legislation, budget, administrative action, or studies.
Hearings will be made up ENTIRELY of testimony from individuals and
organizations bringing their comments and recommendations to the Commission.
Topics covered to include sexual harassment, women in prison, domestic
violence and child custody, to name only a few.
Download
complete event information >>
Download sign-up
form to present testimony >>
September 18, 2006
Sundance film pick “Sherrybaby” opens nationally
After her release from prison Sherry Swanson, a heroin addict,
shows up at the halfway house, reports to her parole officer and reaches
out to her brother and sister-in-law who have been caring for her young
daughter. While Sherry Swanson may be a fictional character, her story
is shared by many women who, after release from prison, face a second
round of punishment when they have difficulties regaining custody of
their children.
See
the trailer >>
Read
more about mothers struggling to reclaim children >>
September 12-14, 2006
Restorative Justice:
A Philosophy More Than a Program
Jefferson City, MO
September 11 - 12, 2006
Centerforce’s 7th Annual Inside Out Summit
Theme: "Rehabilitation Re-emerges: Working Together to
Help Those Affected by Incarceration"
Centerforce provides services to prisoners and their families at various
county jails, state prisons, and federal correctional facilities throughout
Northern and Central California. Inside-Out is their annual conference
that features interactive presentations, thoughtful dialogue, and vital
networking to promote discussion and support between consumers, prison/jail
staff, public health workers, and community service providers working
with the incarcerated population.
For more information and to register >>
September 7-29, 2006
Interrupted Life Exhibit
Pitzer College, Claremont, CA. During September, the art show,
"Interrupted Life: Incarcerated Mothers in the U.S." will
be at the Nichols Gallery at Pitzer College. In connection with this
show, a number of consciousness-raising events will be offered. The
first event is the opening reception this Thursday, September 7, 7:00
p.m. at the Nichols Gallery, with a talk by the curator, Rickie Solinger.
All events are free and open to the public.
More
information about the exhibit >>
Events schedule
>>
June 2006
June 30-July 2
Faces of Wrongful Conviction
speakers series
Powerful stories told firsthand by the people who lived them—exonerated
men and women, families of murder victims and a former prosecutor. You
can bring these incredible stories to your church, synagogue, school
or community center. The program will launch in July and run through
September 2006 and is cosponsored by ACLU, Amnesty International, California
People of Faith, Death Penalty Focus, Progressive Jewish Alliance and
the Life After Exoneration Program.
June 26 and June 28
Los Angeles Film Festival
screens “Mario’s Story”
As a teenager in East Los Angeles, Mario Rocha was sentenced
to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. Undaunted, Mario,
his family and a dedicated team of advocates have spent more than 10
years navigating the justice system fighting for his freedom. Like a
procedural crime drama in reverse, Mario’s Story is a deeply moving
film and also a nail-biting thriller.
June 20, 6:30-9 p.m.
Seminar will explore
restorative justice
The Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center will host a round table
on Peacemaking Circles and Restorative Justice from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday,
June 20 at the First Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 45 Alexandria
Pike, Warrenton.
Attendees will discuss how peacemaking circles and restorative justice principles are used to provide support for people harmed by crime and in how, as a community, people can help seek restitution and even reconciliation in some compensatory actions with renewed spirit and attitude.
The speaker will be Kay Pranis, a trainer and writer on peacemaking circles and restorative justice.
Pranis has written numerous articles on restorative justice and co-wrote “Peacemaking Circles: From Crime to Community.”
A light dinner will be served. Space is limited, so reservations must be sent to Liliana Anaya, (540) 347-6650 or rj.pdre@verizon.net.
June 19, 2006
Women & Criminal Justice looking
for a
new Program Director
Women & Criminal Justice looking for a new Executive Director
to work in partnership with the Executive Director. The Program Director's
function is to supervise and support all program activities including
the supervision of the Local Area Coordinators and their teams.
June 16 and 25
Get on the Bus Father’s Day visits
Opportunities for children to visit incarcerated parents.
Read more >>