In this episode, Dr. Jeff Sim, a mental health quality improvement manager at the Illinois Department of Corrections, explains what he has learned about the connection between science and empathy in prison populations. Focusing on three major brain development milestones, Dr. Sim talks about why individuals raised in a hyper-vigilant fight-or-flight mode struggle to empathize…

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Sim, a mental health quality improvement manager at the Illinois Department of Corrections, explains what he has learned about the connection between science and empathy in prison populations. Focusing on three major brain development milestones, Dr. Sim talks about why individuals raised in a hyper-vigilant fight-or-flight mode struggle to empathize…

Kristy Johnson shares her heroic (and difficult) story of living through addiction, incarceration, rehabilitation and into recovery — all through the eyes of a loving mother.  Her story proves that the small moments we have with anyone are influential and can have unimaginable impacts (for good or for bad). This leads us to believe the…

In this episode of Community Matters, JLG Architects’ Isaac Karley speaks with Clinique Chapman and Cristian Franco Jr. about the Restoring Promise initiative, which strives to create housing units centered on dignity for young adults in prison. Clinique and Cristian discuss the push to end mass incarceration and provide insight into Restoring Promise’s process within…

In this episode of Community Matters, JLG Architects’ Jennifer Burke Jackson and Rachelle Juntunen, Warden at Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center, talk about what normal can look like for incarcerated women, the challenges of re-entering into the community, and the uptick in female incarceration. As a long-time administrator in this world, Rachelle shares her raw…

In this episode of Community Matters, JLG Architects’ Jennifer Burke Jackson and Jonathan Holth, Managing Director of the Recovery Reinvented, discuss common beginnings to addiction, challenges to staying in recovery, and how these overlay with experiences in and around incarceration. Jonathan shares his personal recovery story, as well as how he helps others find recovery…

In this episode of Community Matters, JLG Architects’ Zach Mathern and Isaac Karley interview Michelle Erickson, Executive Director of the Abused Adult Resource Center in Bismarck, ND. Michelle shares her life’s work, the evolving gaps in the system, and how their challenges are overcome with compassion. From basic needs and beyond, she humanizes help for…

In this episode of Community Matters, JLG Architects’ Jennifer Burke Jackson and her cousin Adam Burke have a conversation about Adam’s experiences during and after incarceration. This series on rehabilitation is guided by community voices both inside and adjacent to incarceration; JLG navigates the question, “What is the purpose of incarceration?”