Utah Prisoner Advocate Network
UPAN | A nonprofit community advocacy group supporting the families of Utah inmates.
Anna Brower of the ACLU will discuss how California is working to fight Video Only Visitation in its jails. We can possibly learn what can be done in Utah about this problem. Free and open to the public.
Topic TBA. Free and open to the public.
FAITH IN REFORM is an engaging, interactive mini-Summit to encourage and grow grassroots criminal justice reform efforts in Utah! This event is anyone and everyone who is working for positive change in their faith community, through their professional work, as part of a community organization or even totally on their own.
Kurt Guner, the Prison Education Manager of SLCC and Don Wright PhD of the PrisonED Foundation will be presenting Higher Education Programs in the Utah State Prison System. Free and open to the public.
#Cut50 National Day of Empathy - Presented by League of Allies and UPAN
Britnee Webb of League of Allies, UPAN and others areorganizing an event focusing on creating empathy & humanizing the experience of prisoners and their families. Guest speakers, open forum, more info to come. Please invite anyone interested. We would love to have former inmates & their families present to speak in the forum. Ideally we want state officials, legislators & policymakers present, because this is who we are humanizing the experience for. We want them to see our inmates as more than numbers.
About #DayOfEmpathy
Day of Empathy is a national day of action to generate empathy on a massive scale for millions of Americans impacted by the criminal justice system.
In order to reform our criminal justice system, we must first humanize and empathize with those who are impacted by it.
The Day of Empathy will highlight the needs and share the perspectives of Americans impacted by the current justice system - from survivors of violent crime, those who are addicted or mentally ill, incarcerated individuals working to transform themselves, people with a criminal record desperately seeking a second chance, and all community members impacted by crime, public safety, and violence.
Without empathy, we cannot achieve meaningful policy changes that keep our communities safe, our families whole, and our economy strong.
There are thousands of people - mothers, daughters, children - who have stories to tell.
The Day of Empathy will shine a light on people impacted by the criminal justice system, uplift their voices, and win over hearts and minds towards the idea that transformation is possible.
HOW WE'LL DO THIS
On March 1st, 2017 organizations across the country will be activated for a single day of action to spotlight their local efforts and unite under a unified banner to highlight the strength of the bipartisan criminal justice reform movement.
"Ambassadors of Empathy" will meet with elected officials in State capitols and Governors' offices across the country. They will share their experiences and how they have been impacted by the criminal justice system. Legislators will gain first-hand experience of the human consequences of a criminal justice system that has gotten too big, too unfair, and too brutal.
The Day of Empathy will feature storytelling, digital media, and virtual realitycontent to humanize formerly incarcerated people, survivors of violent crime, and millions of others. By delivering a set of powerful, emotional experiences to lawmakers and fellow Americans, the Day of Empathy will accelerate the bipartisan drive to create more effective, efficient, and humane criminal justice system.
OUR TEAM
We have teamed up with storytellers, media industry insiders, technology leaders and policy experts with direct access to leaders in the U.S. Congress, the White House, criminal justice activists, major news outlets and technology pioneers.
Topic TBA. Free and open to the public.
NOT FOR RENT!, Metamora Films latest documentary film is being released and screened at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. The feature length documentary film looks at rental housing barriers ex-felons face as they attempt to rebuild their lives in our communities. With over 95% of the American prison population being released at some point in the future, millions of ex-inmates struggle with ‘red tape’ and strict criminal history rental requirements property managers and landlords enforce. In this unique and powerful film, you’ll meet several people who’ve been personally affected by housing restrictions due to felony convictions.
The film screening is scheduled for April 5th, 2017 from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at the Wildcat Theater. The event is FREE and open to the public including Weber State students who will receive community engagement credit for attending the event. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Monica Williams, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Weber State, University, the film release is part of the Engaged Learning Series, which is a university-wide series of events designed to engage students, faculty, staff, and community in discussion, debate, dialogue, learning, and action around an issue of public concern. For 2017, the series aims to raise awareness, improve personal behavior, and increase public engagement around the issue of “privilege.” In addition to the screening of NOT FOR RENT!, there will be guest speakers, a Q&A with the film’s director, Matt Duhamel, and a social hour with free lunch catered by Sodexho.
The Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) will be present as a vendor with information on their organization, mission statement and how you can get involved in prisoner advocacy work in Utah and beyond
Many people have no idea what course to take after the verdict has been handed down and their loved one ends up in prison on an indeterminate sentence. Attorneys Lorenzo Miller and Patrick Shea will make up a panel of post-conviction attorneys to talk about issues related to appeals, board hearing preparation, what services an attorney can provide to help an inmate and family prepare for a hearing, etc. Please note that UPAN does not endorse specific attorneys or offer legal advice, but we feel it would be beneficial for advocates to hear from experts in their field on the matter. Questions will be submitted beforehand in writing in order to keep the forum orderly and on topic. Please let one of the UPAN staff know prior to the meeting if you would like our guests to address a certain topic. Free and open to the public.
Shannon Cox of Journey of Hope and Rev. Vicki Neuman will be our guest speakers. Free and open to the public.
We will be discussing parole issues related to employment, housing, and other resources. Free and open to the public.
Come eat food and have an enjoyable evening with clients, volunteers and supporters of Crossroads Urban Center. Talk to candidates for the City Council and elected officials about issues that impact low income poeple. Free. Open to the public.
UPAN Meeting - October 2017 A retired AP&P officer shares his thoughts and advice for felons and their families navigating life after serving time in prison. Free and open to the public.
