UH Law Center professor to discuss policies and reform efforts during three-day criminal justice symposium

(MENAFNEditorial)

HOUSTON-University of Houston Law Center ProfessorSandra Guerra Thompsonwill discuss bail reform and challenges faced by incarcerated juveniles, women and their family members during a three-day symposium exploring the human rights issues associated with the criminal justice system.

The symposium, "An Act of Justice: Undoing the Legacy of MassIncarceration,"is co-sponsored by the Rothko Chapel and theUniversity of St. Thomas. Sessions will be heldMarch 30April 1on both campuses.

The conference will offer workshops, panels and keynote addresses featuring academics, activists, religious leaders, artists,criminal justice reform experts, and formerly incarcerated individualsand their families.

"This symposium comes at a critical time in our history when policymakers are examining the crisis of mass incarceration," said Thompson, Alumnae College Professor of Law and director of the Criminal Justice Institute at the Law Center. "How did we become a nation that imprisons more people — by far — than any in the civilized world?

"More importantly, what can we do to change course while keeping our communities safe? The speakers at this symposium will offer insights and personal stories representing many disciplines and perspectives."

Thompson will speak about the unique circumstances faced by women and young offenders behind bars as well as how their family members are affected. Her discussion will be1:45-3 p.m.,Friday, March 31, in the Jerabeck Center 2nd Floor, Scanlan Room on the UST campus.

"As someone with a family member who has been affected by the experience of going to jail, I can offer some lessons about the current pretrial justice system and its effects on the most vulnerable," she said.

Thompson will discuss bail reform efforts currently before the state legislature as part of a broader panel discussion on public policy from12:30-2 p.m.,Saturday, April 1, also in the Scanlan Room at UST.

"The time has come to modernize our system of setting bail," Thompson said. "A major lawsuit inHarris County, as well as legislation pending before the Texas Legislature, may bring needed reforms."

Nicole Casarez, a visiting professor at the UH Law Center as well as an attorney and communication professor at UST, will serve on a panel, "From Arrest to Community Re-integration," dealing with the process of arrest, incarceration and reentry through the perspective of experts working in the field. The discussion will be10:45-12 p.m., Friday, in the Rothko Chapel.

Keynote speakersare ProfessorMargaret BurnhamofNortheastern UniversityLaw School andVincent Schiraldi, senior research fellow at Harvard Kennedy School,Harvard University.

The symposium will include avirtual reality experience that places viewers inside a U.S. solitary confinement prison cellpresented by theNational Religious Campaign Against Torture.

Clickhereto register or for further information

Contact:
Elena Hawthorne
(713) 743-1125
[email protected]/* */

SOURCEUniversity of HoustonLaw Center

http://www.law.uh.edu

Elena Hawthorne
(713) 743-1125
[email protected]/* */

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