August 11, 2016 by Cate Graziani
Grassroots Leadership is pleased to introduce a two-part guest blog, “Hello from South Florida.” In response to an article by Mary Sanchez of the Kansas City Star covering our report, Incorrect Care: A Prison Profiteer Turns Care into Confinement, we were contacted by someone who wants to expose the so-called care found in treatment facilities r Read more about Hello From South Florida, Part I
July 13, 2016 by Bethany N. Carson
Ten years ago, a new policy was named “Operation Streamline.” It is known for mass hearings in which up to 80 migrants are arraigned, found guilty, convicted and sentenced simultaneously for “improper entry,” a misdemeanor. The policy has long been decried by immigrant rights advocates. But the mass hearings, as shocking as they are, are only the tip of the iceberg. Lesser known is the widespread expansion of felony “re-entry” prosecutions and the mass incarceration of migrants that that came with the Streamline program.
Indefensible is an in-depth investigation into the costs and failures of a decade-old bad idea that has wasted millions of dollars and inflicted an incalculable amount of human suffering. Read more about The mass prosecution of migrants at the border, like mass incarceration, is an #Indefensible failure
July 12, 2016 by Cate Graziani
We are happy to welcome Latasha Taylor to the Grassroots Leadership Criminal Justice team as our new Mental Health Organizer! Through a two-year Peer Policy Fellowship from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Latasha will be supporting the work of the Justice and Mental Health Coalition and Texas Advocates for Justice. Read more about Welcome Latasha Taylor, our new Mental Health Organizer!
June 24, 2016 by Cristina Parker
Dimmit County leaders are facing the same question that county commissioners in Jim Wells asked themselves earlier this month: Are the legal and financial risks that come with family detention worth it? Widespread opposition from Jim Wells County residents and concerns about financial and legal liability for the local community led county commissioners to wisely reject the proposal. Now, the Dimmit County Commissioners Court has this question on the agenda for their upcoming Monday, June 27 meeting.
Serious legal and financial questions, and the promise of a new president next year means that the family detention policy that fills the facility may not even exist next year. Dimmit County could join the long list of small communities left behind after betting their community’s future on detaining immigrants. Read more about BREAKING: Dimmit County is the latest Texas county to be sold a bill of goods on family detention
June 23, 2016 by Holly Kirby
We need your help! Grassroots Leadership needs to raise $12,000 before July 15th to fund our upcoming Texas Advocates for Justice organizing training in Austin.
Our goal is to bring together 30 formerly incarcerated people — Austin community members who have been locked up in jails, prisons, or immigrant detention centers — and their loved ones to be leaders in the movement to end mass criminalization in Texas. Read more about Help fund a crucial training in Austin, Texas!
June 9, 2016 by Bethany N. Carson
A child detained at a Serco facility in Australia said, "Even if you make this place heaven it is not enough for us because we feel like we are in a cage. We feel people see us like animals in a cage."
Read more about Serco: a bad deal for immigrant families and Jim Wells County
May 27, 2016 by Cristina Parker
The 6th annual Dancing Away Detention benefit show supporting the Hutto Visitation Program is next week on Thursday, June 2 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at El Sol y La Luna at 600 E 6th St. in Austin. Check out who else is going plus fun photos from last year’s event on Facebook. Here are six things to know about this year’s benefit show.
Buy your ticket today (don’t wait, the price goes up the day of the show)
Read more about Dancing Away Detention is next week, six things to know
May 23, 2016 by Cate Graziani
On Wednesday May 11th, members of the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Coalition visited San Antonio, TX to learn more about Bexar County’s jail diversion programs. Hosted by the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS), the group met with program administrators, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and representatives from mental health and judicial services of Bexar County. Read more about Mental Health and Criminal Justice Coalition Visits Bexar County
May 19, 2016 by Holly Kirby
Grassroots Leadership is pleased to welcome Jason Phillips to our team! Jason will be working with our criminal justice program as he completes his final field practicum toward a master of social work degree from Texas State University. Read more about Grassroots Leadership welcomes new MSW intern, Jason Phillips!
May 19, 2016 by Holly Kirby
Grassroots Leadership is pleased to welcome Lewis Conway, Jr. to our team as our Criminal Justice Program Associate for the summer 2016! Lewis will be supporting our local criminal justice work, including outreach and planning for our upcoming Texas Advocates for Justice organizing training in Austin. Read more about Grassroots Leadership welcomes Criminal Justice Program Associate, Lewis Conway, Jr.!