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The NIA - Newsletter Vol. #107
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When it hits your doorstep: Vincia's Story

"I’ve always considered myself to be highly empathetic. I mean I felt for people who were going through one painful situation or another; suffering loss through multiple ways. But I honestly can’t say that I empathized with those who were incarcerated for alleged criminal behavior until that shadow darkened my doorway." Read Vincia's story here.

After an unusual week of constituent calls regarding job search and sustainability challenges as a continuing consequence of arrests and incarceration, we decided to once again feature this rather potent study. The growing culture of “we” versus “them” across America doubles down in several ways to impact us all. A vigorous debate over the cost and practicality of “digital punishment” is perhaps timelier now than ever. We hope readers will think differently about what we all share in common and in shared sentiments push for sensible changes in policies, in commerce and in community. Read the report here.

Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua
Fulton County Superior Court

When the NIA first visited Judge LaGrua's courtroom we immediately realized that it captured every gap and barrier of the social journey that belongs to us all. The judges "My Journey Matters" accountability court certainly is not the only court of it's kind recently emerging across America, but it's one accessible to us - that calls for our empathetic involvement.

My Journey Matters is a pilot probation program designed to divert young offenders from a lifetime of incarceration, as well as the Court’s first Re-Entry Court, which works to integrate prior offenders back into the community using close supervision, substance abuse counseling, job-training, and advancing education.

If you are a direct services provider please try to visit Judge LaGrua's courtroom and offer your help.

"Accountability courts are the ultimate example of redemption, and we ALL ought to be in the business of redemption." Governor Nathan Deal

This month as usual, NIA leadership engaged our partners with several different initiatives. We advanced our work with Fulton County Commissioner Eaves' Record Restriction Summit which we and the thousands of impacted families appreciate as a bold and successful step in the right direction.
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NIA Leadership attended Georgia Department of Corrections Family Day. Over 500 families attended, most seeking information from the Pardons & Parole Board. Others in attendance were all the commissioners, wardens and service providers like Securus and JPay.

Families were able to express their concerns and more directly pursue solutions. On behalf of a representative number of those families the NIA will be offering a debriefing to the Commissioner at the next Citizens Advisory Panel meeting.
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Several members of the NIA attended "Changing the Game" hosted by Department of Health & Human Services and Civil Survival. This rising group out of Seattle, Washington facilitates workshops designed to create leaders among the community of formerly incarcerated people. We applaud this core of advocates for their focus on the work of advocacy right here in Metro Atlanta. New ideas were debated. New local faces were aligned with each other. More strategies for working together were launched.
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NIA Leadership along with the Fulton County Court Watchers program toured the Fulton County Jail which is currently featured in the A&E series "60 Days In."

The highly acclaimed series first makes apparent the professional competency of the county's Chief Jailer Colonel Mark C. Adger. Like most local jails across America Fulton's is also plagued with rival gangs, drugs, and corruption. It is the NIA's strategic hope that these shows are not digested as mere entertainment, but an urgent call for more community coordination and resources to be directed to the sheriff's office.

We then had the opportunity to tour Valdosta State Prison, which is a closed security men's facility. The NIA continues to encourage the community of advocates to understand the complexities of the prison and jail system so as to further advance our collective work toward reform.

Families change the moment they receive the call. The NIA is working for you.

Meet Nolan Boatright

The families that come to the NIA for help end up becoming leaders. The Boatright family is an example of how we can empower positive change and growth.

Nolan's wife Michelle is an NIA leader and gives back to her community tirelessly. Their young daughter Victoria is becoming a spokesperson for children of the incarcerated.

"Hey Kate, I heard you all went to the Capital and Tori (his young daughter) spoke about prison reform. I Thank you for making that happen for her. I don't know if she would ever get a chance to speak somewhere like that. Every time I read what she said it makes me cry because I know it's going to be that little girl that brings me home!

Thank you so much for fighting the fight. When I do get my chance to come home I will be a model for the NIA because I will do the right things and succeed. There's no question about that. God knows I can't wait to be part of the movement showing what some of the prisoners really are.

Well, take care of yourself and don't let nothing hold you back. You are a huge help and a hero to me.

Much love, Nolan :-)"

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