October Virtual Lunch & Learn - The Dangerous One-Sided Narrative: No One Is Their Worst Act

The criminal legal system in Illinois requires that sentences balance the serious nature of the offense and the objective of restoring someone to useful citizenship. Our state constitution recognizes that in our system must offer people the opportunity at redemption and restoration. And yet, there are hundreds of people in Illinois sentenced to serve natural life– sentences with no specific release date, just the expectation that someone will spend their natural life in prison. This Lunch & Learn invites three men, who were once sentenced to natural life imprisonment but are now contributing members of their community to examine the human capacity for redemption, rehabilitation, and restoration. This discussion will challenge us to consider the ways this sentencing structure gets in the way of more people achieving this constitutional objective.