Ep. 83 - “We Are More” Pt. 3: Re-entry, Combating the "Law & Order" Narrative, & the SAFE-T Act ft. Melvin Farley

BrownTown links up with Melvin Farley, formerly incarcerated
friend of Illinois Prison Project. In Part Three of the "We Are
More" series, BrownTown and Melvin discuss re-entering society
after incarceration, combating the "law and order" narrative and
resurgent fear-mongering politics tactics, as well as the much
talked about Illinois SAFE-T Act that goes into full effect
January 1, 2023. Watch the micro-docs, listen to the series, and
take action at SoapBoxPO.com/We-Are-More and
IllinoisPrisonProject.org.


Melvin's initially shares his experience with incarceration and
how the Illinois Prison Project supported in his release. The
team then details some of the inner workings of the prison system
and as well as the adjustments and setbacks when re-entering
society. BrownTown unpacks the grassroots work that lead up to
the signing of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, particularly the Pretrial
Fairness Act provision, and dispels the misinformation,
disinformation, and straight up lies about the new law that have
been circling this season. While comparing such right-wing and
establishment tactics to those of yesteryear (i.e. Willie
Hortonism and fake FBI-created Black Panther Party newspapers),
the gang embraces the progressive changes to come in the region
while situating them within a larger struggle.


Full Transcription Here!


GUEST
Melvin Farley is an affiliate of the Illinois Prison Project who
was released from incarceration 18 months ago due to the
organization’s efforts. He is currently establishing structure
for his new life and looking forward to new opportunities and
relationships.


 


Mentioned in Episode:


Illinois - Pretrial Fairness START HERE!

The 2021 SAFE-T Act: ICJIA Roles and Responsibilities
(Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority)


How a ‘Purge’ law misinformation campaign could undercut
landmark criminal justice reform by Tiffany Walden (TRiiBE)


No, There Is No ‘Purge Law’ In Illinois. Here Are The Facts
About Ending Cash Bail by Asimo & Sabino (Block Club
Chi)


There’s no ‘Purge Law’: Debunking right-wing propaganda
about the SAFE-T Act by Carlos Ballesteros (Injustice
Watch)

Axios article on fake newspaper


Episode Correction: The FBI, not the CIA,
created fake newspapers to dispel the Black Panther Party's
image via the infamous COINTELPRO (but CIA still trash, doe).



 


ILLINOIS PRISON PROJECT (IPP)
Through advocacy, public education, and direct representation,
the Illinois Prison Project brings hope to and fight in community
with incarcerated people and their loved ones for a brighter,
more humane, more just system for us all. Learn more about the
IPP on their site; follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
LinkedIn and YouTube. 


 


CREDITS: Intro soundbite from Renaldo Hudson of
the "We Are More" micro-doc series and outro soundbite from
Melvin Farley. Audio engineered by Kiera Battles. Episode photo
by Kiera Battles. This series is sponsored by the Illinois Prison
Project.


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