Waleisah Wilson is the Client Services Advocate at the Southern Center for Human Rights where she supports their newly released clients by connecting them to the resources they need to thrive in their communities. She is also a dedicated criminal justice reform activist and organizer who staunchly supports efforts that address disability justice, ending solitary confinement and mass incarceration, voter disenfranchisement, ending the stigmas associated with having a criminal record and eliminating the unjust barriers to reentry. Her passion, and uncanny ability and skill to connect with reentry supportive resources, stems from her personal struggles with reentry after incarceration and is the reason why she founded NewLife Second Chance Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists hundreds of directly impacted individuals with securing employment, locating housing, receiving job readiness training and gaining other necessary resources needed in their reentry, and a resource that she relies heavily on to assist her in her current capacity as the Southern Center for Human Rights' Client Services Advocate.
Tanika L. Nicholas joined the Southern Center for Human Rights as the Justice Reform Partnership Strategist in April 2022. As a formerly incarcerated woman, Tanika strives to be the catalyst for change to overcome the stigmas and stereotypes associated with formerly incarcerated people. After serving over ten years in prison, she observed firsthand the many shortcomings of the criminal legal and correctional systems. She seeks to transform these systems by using her “lived experience” as a link to reshape public policy reform.
Listen as Waleisah and Tanika dive into how America's horrific history of slavery has not simply ended with the 13th amendment. The legacies of slavery live on, today, in the U.S. prison system as the treatment of incarcerated individuals is indeed considered legalized slavery.
Waleisah and Tanika highlight oppresive Georgia laws that contribute to the high incarceration of Black youth, men, and women. Learn more about laws that contribute to voter suppression, policies that contribute to long-sentencings in the state of Georgia which is higher than the national average, and how many communities are affected by these policies.
In 1971, Nixon officially declared a "war on drugs," identifying drug abuse as "public enemy No. 1." Since then, the number of incarcerated individuals has increased 5-fold without a comparable decrease in crime or drug use. Waleisah speaks further about the effects of the War on Drugs its disproportionate effects on Black communities.
Waleisah and Tanika speak about the intersection between mass incarceration and police brutality in the United States.
Waleisah and Tanika speak about the reform efforts lead by the SCHR, Georgia politicians, and other non-profit organization and their effectiveness.
Learn what you can do to help contribute to the reform efforts being pushed to end the injustices of mass incarceration.
Ann Collotion serves as a Policy and Outreach Coordinator for the Georgia Justice Project (GJP), an organization at the forefront of criminal justice reform in the state of Georgia. GJP is committed to addressing the systemic issues within the criminal justice system by providing legal representation, advocacy, and support to individuals who have become entangled in the criminal justice system. With a focus on holistic and restorative approaches, the organization works tirelessly to ensure that individuals facing incarceration are given fair and equitable treatment.
In her role, Ann Collotion plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of GJP. She not only advocates for policy changes aimed at reducing mass incarceration but also excels in utilizing data visualization to communicate the profound impact of these policies. Through her presentations, Ann provides a holistic view of the criminal justice system, highlighting the interconnected issues that contribute to mass incarceration, such as racial disparities, socioeconomic factors, and the consequences of punitive measures. By using data visualization, she helps audiences grasp the complexities of the problem and understand how GJP's initiatives, including diversion programs, legal aid, and community engagement, can offer viable alternatives to the traditional punitive approach, fostering a more equitable and just society in Georgia. Ann's dedication to her role underscores the importance of data-driven advocacy and policy reform in addressing the challenges posed by mass incarceration.
Interviewer 1: Tierra Ablorh is a 3rd-year student attending Emory University majoring in Computer Science.
Interviewer 2: Yijun Liu is a 4th-year student attending Emory University majoring in Computer Science.
Interviewer 3: Maya Thompson is a 4th-year student attending Emory University majoring in Computer Science.
Video Editor: Macarah Morgan is a 3rd-year student attending Emory University majoring in Quantitative Sciences.
For more information about the SCHR's Upcoming Events, visit Southern Center for Human Rights.