On Thursday, October 6, PHIMC’s Community Reentry Project co-sponsored the Black Lives Matter Series: Race, Politics, and Restorative Justice Conference. The conference explored the relationship between mass incarceration, racial equity, and social justice in the criminal justice system. Attendees learned about the challenge of transitioning from incarceration to the community, HIV statistics in jails and prisons, integrating mental health services, and the impact of incarceration on juveniles.

The conference was highly successful with over 125 in attendance. Inspiring speakers and presenters facilitated deep and expansive dialogue. The conference included training and discussion that examined disenfranchisement, mass incarceration, and advocacy needs within this movement. Thanks to all who attended, showing their commitment to working within the reentry sector, increasing knowledge about service for returning citizens, and building the expertise and capacity of community providers.

PHIMC Executive Director Karen A. Reitan moderated a panel entitled “The Intersection of HIV/HCV, Family, Support, and Stigma” that included Linda Coon, JD (FCAN), Michael Gaines (Illinois Department of Public Health), Rev. Doris Green (Men and Women in Prison Ministries), and Dr. Chad Zawitz (Cermak Health Services). Co-sponsors of the event included AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Black Treatment Advocates Network of Chicago, Chicago-Area Integrated Services Council, Chicago Department of Public Health, Men & Women in Prison Ministries, Primary Prevention Early Identification Committee, and Regional Resource Network Program Region V.

Read the article from the Windy City Times.