Stereotypes of who is most likely to be stopped, arrested or in prison were explored through the use of photos representing African Americans, Hispanics, European Americans, male and female. None of the persons in the photographs were known to have ever been arrested. The photos of African American and Hispanic males were considered most likely to have been incarcerated. (more…)

Rev. Michael Comick, Chaplain at a prison in central Pennsylvania, led a workshop on “the life of prison inmates and family communications” at the Heart of Justice event in November 2013. This is a workshop report by Janet Ney.

Michael led us through a description of a day in the life of a prisoner incarcerated at the prison, a facility that was built to house 1,500 prisoners. Currently, this prison houses 2,300 prisoners, including 750 people serving life sentences. Among the prisoners are 120 young people, 21 years old or younger. Medical attention is provided by a staff nurse who may need to see 50 inmates in an hour.

One of Michael’s basic points was that prisons do not rehabilitate. (more…)

About 85 people were part of the conversation at “The Heart of Justice” event on November 9 at Sacred Heart Hospital Conference Center. Look for occasional updates here and monthly reports in the Ecumenical Encounters newsletter of the Lehigh County Conference of Churches.

Several churches and other organizations are planning book study or discussion groups, or/and screenings of the documentary “Broken on All Sides” – starting early 2014. Already in planning are: (more…)