Reproductive In(Justice): Birth Behind Bars

The Center for Justice and Law in partnership with the Ostara Initiative, the Minnesota Prison Doula Project, and the Alabama Birth Project presents our Spring conference Reproductive In(Justice): Birth Behind Bars featuring local and national advocates, community members, and leaders on Friday, April 30th 10:00am-2:30pm CST.

Join us for an in-depth conversation centering the experiences of incarcerated people navigating pregnancy and birthing. This four and a half hour event will include a series of panels, conversations, and a Keynote with cross-sector justice-impacted leaders, activists, scholars, and practitioners. Our last panel will highlight the advocacy efforts underway across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alabama to elevate awareness on legal and policy initiatives for reproductive justice. Stay tuned for the final speaker announcement.

The following CE credits will be available:

• Continuing Legal Education (approved for 3.0 hours)
• Minnesota Board of Social Work (approved for 4.0 hours)
• DONA International Continuing Education (approved for 4.0 hours)

We will have 2 Keynote Addresses:

Our first is Autumn Mason who is a justice-impacted Certified Life Coach, Family Trauma Professional, & a Peer and Re-entry Specialist.

Our Final Keynote is from Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan who is a long-time champion of reproductive justice issues in Minnesota.

Plenary on Jail Care: Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars

• Dr. Carolyn Sufrin

Panel 1: Pregnancy and Postpartum in the Carceral System

• Tommy Franklin (Moderator)
• Mariah Wilberg 
• Pamela Winn
• Natalie Pollard
• Cameron Dutton
• Julie Colby

Panel 2: Collectively Reimagining Reproductive Justice

• Dr. Rebecca Shlafer (Moderator)
• Lori Timlin
• Representative Jamie Becker-Finn
• Brittany L. Wright 
• Huda Ahmed

Panel 3: Prison Birth Work: Truth & Reconciliation

• Erica Gerrity (Moderator)
• Maggie Quinn
• Rae Baker
• Chauntel Norris

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at cjl@hamline.edu.