Onward Blog

JLUSA leader Candice Bailey speaks on the trial of officers charged in the death of Elijah McClain

By JLUSA

September 22, 2023

“Everything that you see has been a direct result of the protests,” said Candice Bailey (Leading with Conviction™ 2023), who organized and led many.

Washington state’s “New Hope Act” paves the way for Rep. Tarra Simmons and others to clear criminal records

By JLUSA

September 11, 2023

JLUSA leader Tarra Simmons (Leading with Conviction™ 2018) recently had convictions vacated from her record under a new state law.

Dawn Harrington says felony disenfranchisement voter suppression in Tennessee is only getting worse

By JLUSA

August 30, 2023

JLUSA leader Dawn Harrington (Leading with Conviction™ 2017) has co-authored an op-ed on the latest attacks on voting rights in Tennessee.

FDA’s proposed menthol ban will expand the “War on Drugs”

By JLUSA

August 23, 2023

Diane Goldstein writes, “If the ban is enacted, make no mistake: Black and Latinx communities will bear the brunt of associated law enforcement.”

Brittany Lovely calls for voting rights to be restored to formerly incarcerated people

By JLUSA

August 21, 2023

Brittany Lovely (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) calls for voting rights to be restored to formerly incarcerated people

JLUSA leader Pauline Rogers on Mississippi’s parole system

By JLUSA

August 15, 2023

Pauline Rogers — Leading with Conviction™ 2023 participant and founder of the R.E.C.H. Foundation — joined a recent panel discussion.

DeAnna Hoskins and others call for Rikers to be placed into federal receivership

By JLUSA

August 9, 2023

Five members of the nine-person New York City Board of Correction have written an op-ed published today in the New York Daily News.

Robyn Hasan speaks out on “horrific” conditions in Atlanta jails

By JLUSA

August 4, 2023

Leading with Conviction™ 2022 graduate Robyn Hasan speaks out on inhumane conditions in Atlanta jails

A dozen criminal justice experts agree: Rikers must close now!

By JLUSA

July 26, 2023

A dozen criminal justice experts agree: Stay the course on borough-based jails — and a federal takeover of Rikers in the meantime.

JLUSA leader Dant’e Cottingham and President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins speak about second-chance hiring

By JLUSA

July 6, 2023

JLUSA leader Dant’e Cottingham and President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins speak about second-chance hiring

JLUSA leader Tim Lanier helps conduct a reentry simulation in Alabama

By JLUSA

July 3, 2023

Tim Lanier [Leading With Conviction™ 2022 graduate] helps lead a reentry simulation in Birmingham, Alabama.

JLUSA leader Maggie Luna on “being cooked alive” in Texas prisons

By JLUSA

June 30, 2023

Maggie Luna [Leading With Conviction™ 2021 graduate] speaks with KXAN about horrifying conditions inside non-air conditioned Texas prisons.

JLUSA leader Rep. Keturah Herron on how state legislatures can address the school-to-prison pipeline

By JLUSA

Kentucky State Rep. Keturah Herron [Leading With Conviction™ 2019 graduate] joins Rattling the Bars to discuss the school-to-prison pipeline.

JLUSA leaders’ work guides inaugural Holistic Safety Action Alliance

By JLUSA

June 29, 2023

Chicago Beyond has announced the inaugural Holistic Safety Action Alliance (HSAA), a first-of-its-kind, multi-state coalition.

It’s “Abolition Week” at Scalawag Magazine!

By JLUSA

June 19, 2023

This is Scalawag Magazine’s fourth annual “Abolition Week,” June 19-23. Learn more.

JLUSA leader Tarra Simmons first among five formerly incarcerated elected to state legislatures since 2021

By JLUSA

June 16, 2023

Since 2021, a string of people have been elected to state legislatures who openly discuss their histories with the criminal justice system.