Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation

This past week, the New York Times published a significant piece that was picked up by Milwaukee and Madison newspapers as well. You can read it here through the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It concerns the agonizing months-long lockdown that occurred at the Waupun Correctional Institution. Since June, people at Green Bay's penitentiary have faced remarkably similar conditions.

Lockdowns, which the Department of Corrections euphemistically calls "modified movement", often mean people are confined to their cells all day, even for meals. They can only take one shower per week despite these institutions not being air conditioned. Programs are canceled. Even in places not under lockdown, it has become nearly impossible for loved ones to visit in person, and even video visits have been reduced.

These humanitarian disasters often get blamed on "staffing shortages." In Wisconsin's maximum security prisons, even dramatic pay hikes have not attracted enough people to fill the needs. Meanwhile, there is no staff shortage in most of Wisconsin's minimum security facilities.

The biggest problem is not a staffing shortage. It is that we have far too many people in Wisconsin prisons. If Wisconsin took common sense measures to decarcerate, we could close nightmarish facilities like Waupun and Green Bay. Wisconsin actually has too much capacity in its "maximum security" prisons. Many people are stuck in "maximum security" prisons because there is not enough room in "medium security" prisons. Many of the people in "medium security" ought to be in "minimum security," but those are overcrowded. 

By moving elderly and ill people out of our prisons and by cutting the number of people sent back to prison for crimeless revocations, we could create enough space to safely close the Green Bay and Waupun facilities. If we did that, Wisconsin could save about $100 million per year -- money that could be reinvested in community programs that will help people succeed.

 In the short-term, WISDOM and the WISDOM Action Network are calling for an emergency response to what is a humanitarian and human rights emergency. That same emergency demands that we act without delay to take measures to safely and responsibly reduce the prison population. Furthermore, the principles of Justice Reinvestment call for us to reinvest the money saved from closing prisons in programs that will help individuals, families and communities to thrive.

Support WISDOM by making a contribution

Public demand for a full reinvestigation of a heinous 1996 crime grows and could save a seemingly innocent man from the death chamber.

Anthony Sanchez is one of 25 Oklahoma prisoners set for execution over the next several years. His date is September 21, 2023. But there’s just one additional nagging problem. It seems Anthony is innocent and he is pleading for your help.

A private investigator says the DNA in this death penalty case does not conclusively show guilt and Anthony Sanchez has always maintained his innocence. He was not even in the area the night the life of his former girlfriend was tragically taken. Additionally, before Anthony’s troubled and abusive father, Glen Sanchez, killed himself, he confessed to the murder. So why hasn’t the State opened a full reinvestigation? Call Oklahoma officials and ask!

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes opposes the death penalty.

What makes Mr. Sanchez’s scheduled execution even more problematic are several issues of concern regarding the evidence collection, poor representation, executions on native land, and more.Visit FreeAnthonySanchez.org and decide if justice has been served. Then call the Attorney General and/or sign this petition to demand action.

On the First Friday of each month, Catholic Mobilizing Network holds a Virtual Prayer Vigil to lament upcoming executions and bear witness to the inviolable dignity of all human life.

These virtual spaces offer a place to pray together as a faith community in response to the injustice of the death penalty. They include time for guided prayer, petitions, Scripture reflections, and contemplative silence. The vigils feature the voices of Catholic bishops, Church leaders, and allies across the death penalty abolition movement.

The next vigil is scheduled for Friday, August 4 at 1 p.m. CT and will include a Scripture reflection from the Most Rev. Lou Tylka, Bishop of Peoria.

Register and learn more here.

Catholic Mobilizing Network intern, Anna Nowalk, shares her insights on what an unprecedented  Catechism revision meant for Catholic anti-death penalty advocacy—what led us there and where have we gone since?

On August 2, 2018, Pope Francis ushered in the historic revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s teaching on the death penalty, officially promulgating a clear and firm stance against capital punishment in all cases. Although it was indeed a change of language, this revision was far from unprecedented. It was rooted in a legacy of papal teaching against capital punishment, and reinforced by the Catholic belief that all life is sacred. Read more here.

On Friday, July 7th, Rev. Mark Rivituso, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis, will lead a scripture reflection in a virtual space that offers a place to pray together as a faith community in response to the injustice of the death penalty. 

On the First Friday of each month, Catholic Mobilizing Network holds a Virtual Prayer Vigil to lament upcoming executions and bear witness to the inviolable dignity of all human life. You are invited to join this month’s vigil at 1 p.m. CST. Join virtually by tuning into the YouTube livestream or watch the recording.

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) is pleased to announce the winners of the second annual Justice & Mercy Poetry Contest for Young Catholics. The winning poems were chosen from a collection of breathtaking entries submitted by young Catholics from 18 different states. Each piece, unique in style, point of view, and emphasis, conveyed the same truth: there is nothing just about the death penalty.

Read the breathtaking poems by several young poets here: https://catholicsmobilizing.org/first-place-2023-justice-mercy-poetry-contest

Then, please have a look at these interesting resources: 

• Article: Minnesota lawmakers OK 'transformative' juvenile justice package (Star Tribune)
• Research article (summary): Restorative justice diversion reduces re-arrest rates for young people in Minneapolis
• Story: Freedom Community Center gives felons a second chance via restorative justice (St Louis Public Radio)
• Podcast: Equal Justice USA - Evangelical Network launches a Spotify podcast, based on the In the Movement webinar series. 
• Webinar: Power and Control: Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse in Relationships. Office of RJ and Abuse Prevention, Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis. June 26, 6:30-8:00 pm CDT. Sign up here. 
• Online Public Dialogue: Building the Beloved Community: Addressing Racial Injustice and Finding Ways Forward. June 14, 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT. Georgetown University, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

What is Restorative Justice?

Catholic Social Teaching has 7 major themes: Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community, and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Preferential Option for and with People Who are Poor; Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; and Care for God’s Creation. 

All of these principles are evident in restorative justice, an approach to achieving justice that involves, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense or harm to collectively identify and address harm, needs, and obligations in order to heal and put things as right as possible.

The traditional approach within criminal justice systems takes a retributive approach to justice, assigning guilt and punishment. A restorative approach in response to any injustice takes into consideration the Catholic social tradition principles. Learn more here: https://catholicsmobilizing.org/catholic-social-teaching-restorative-justice

(article adapted from Catholic Mobilizing Network)

Circles (sometimes called circle process or peacemaking circles) are a core restorative practice that create opportunities for participants to share openly and listen intentionally with one another. Rooted in indigenous tradition, circles can be used in instances of conflict and harm, as well as for storytelling, shared reflection, and community building. Increasingly, Catholic parishes and ministries use restorative circles to live in right relationship with one another and foster encounter among those impacted by crime.

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) will host its annual circle keeper training in Chicago, IL with Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR) this July 12-15, 2023. This four-day, in-person training is ideal for Catholic leaders who wish to facilitate restorative circles in their parishes, ministries, and communities. It is most suitable for those who have some existing familiarity with restorative justice, but have not yet been formally trained in circle keeping.
Click here for details and application.
Please note that space is limited. The priority deadline for applications is Thursday, June 1,

Here is a story from the first training with PBMR, in 2019.

In July 2022, CSA JPIC coordinator and Associate, Tracy Abler, attended this training. She continues to belong to the CMN’s Restorative Justice Ministry Community of Practice and assists in their “Introduction to Restorative Justice” hour virtual workshops that provide participants with basic concepts and practices of restorative justice. These 3-hour workshops are ideal for individuals who are new to restorative justice. Upcoming sessions are April 26, June 14, and August 24. Click here for details.

Tracy believes restorative/peacemaking circles are key to transforming justice and healing our world. Below is the picture of her training circle’s centerpiece from last July. It is filled with meaningful objects that visually represented her group's shared values.