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

Bourbon 'n BrownTown

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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