Description

You’ve heard the phrase “mass incarceration.” But what, really, does it mean? Simply put, it is shorthand for the fact that the U.S. incarcerates more people than any nation in the world, including China. America’s approach to punishment often lacks a public safety rationale, disproportionately affects minorities, and inflicts overly harsh sentences. Mass incarceration leaves people emotionally broken and abandoned. Retributive justice—an “eye for an eye” is still the philosophical origin of our justice system today. Can we end mass incarceration? It’s time to revisit this archaic form of punishment and work towards a more empathetic and humane ideology for correctional institutions that are more rehabilitative, respectful, and responsible—restorative justice.

Restorative justice enables individuals to accept responsibility for their actions, empowering them to move forward with a new sense of purpose.

Stories from “the inside” will make you laugh, cry, and relate to incarcerated individuals even when the motive of the crime seems unrelatable. Hear about the lives of the most recent people executed here in Missouri. Everyone has a story. We will discuss how to evolve into more conscious human beings and the potential of living in a more enlightened society. The stories shared are narratives of hope and transformation. You will be amazed by the new relationships formed of those who chose rehabilitation.