Library Event Series Explores Criminal Justice Reform
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Madison Public Library and community partners offer events focused on criminal justice reform
In November, Madison Public Library will partner with several local organizations dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system for two events – a film screening of Reform Now and related resource fair on Tuesday, November 10 from 5-9pm and Experience Solitary Confinement on Wednesday, November 11, 7-9pm. The library will also host a lifesize, walk-in model of a solitary confinement cell from November 7-November 12.
In the spring of 2015, UW-Madison announced its choice for the annual campus and community read ‘Go Big Read.’ Just Mercy: a Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson was selected. With a focus on inequalities in the criminal justice system, the 2015 Go Big Read Selection has fostered opportunities to discuss the book and provide community events that educate citizens on the criminal justice system in the United States and closer to home in Wisconsin.
These events are in partnership with the UW-Madison’s Go Big Read program, featuring the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.
Resource Fair, Reform Now screening, and WISDOM presentations
Tuesday, November 10, 5-9pm – Central Library
- Reform Now is a 45 minute collection of documentaries showcasing work Wisconsin residents are doing to challenge solitary confinement and incarceration practices. The film begins at 5:30pm, and filmmaker Tim Coursen will lead a discussion after the screening.
- WISDOM will present their 11x15/Restoring Our Communities Wisconsin campaign to decrease Wisconsin’s prison population to 11,000 by the end of 2015. WISDOM is an interfaith grassroots network. Presentation starts at 7:30pm.
- A resource fair will be available on a drop-in basis from 5-9pm for visitors to meet members of community groups who are addressing racial inequalities and working for social justice. Groups present include WISDOM, MOSES, Madison Groundwork, Urban League of Greater Madison, Justified Anger, YWCA, and Madison Urban Ministry.
Experience Solitary Confinement
Wednesday, November 11, 7-9pm – Central Library
- Former inmate Talib Akbar, Reverend Jerry Hancock, Reverend Kate Edwards, and Jean Feraca, formerly of Wisconsin Public Radio, will share their experiences with solitary confinement and their involvement with prison reform.
- A lifesize, walk-in model of a solitary confinement cell, based on drawings made by Mr. Akbar, and a soundtrack of a real unit will be at the library during the event and also available for anyone to experience at the library from November 7 through November 12.
In partnership with UW-Madison’s Go Big Read program, Madison Public Library hosts book discussions of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson at all Madison libraries. Remaining discussions include:
- Thursday, November 5, 6:30pm at Lakeview Library
- Thursday, November 12, 12:00pm at Lakeview Library
- Tuesday, November 24, 7:00pm at Pinney Library
- Wednesday, December 2, 6:30pm at Meadowridge Library
- Wednesday, January 20, 2016 7:00pm at Alicia Ashman Library
- Sunday, March 20, 2016 1:30pm at Central Library (this is a Book to Art Club event, which includes a discussion followed by an art project)
Central Library, November
Equal Justice Initiative released an animated film titled Slavery to Mass Incarceration in July. The film is narrated by Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson and features art from Molly Crabapple. In just under six minutes Stevenson and Crabapple tell the story of how the enslavement of African people has evolved to mass incarceration of African Americans today.
Each year Madison Public Library partners with UW-Madison to extend the perennially popular Go Big Read program into the broader community with book discussion groups, programs, book discussion kits, and extra copies of the book at all Madison libraries. In 2015, Go Big Read organizers encouraged the campus community to suggest titles that fit into a theme of inequality in America. Chancellor Rebecca Blank chose Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson from the short list that a selection committee culled from nearly 200 nominated titles. The Go Big Read selection committee is comprised of faculty and staff of UW-Madison as well as Madison Public Library librarian Liz Amundson.
About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 140 years. Our nine locations throughout the City of Madison are open six days per week and welcome over 2.2 million visits each year. Visit the library online at madisonpubliclibrary.org to learn more.
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