Missouri Justice Coalition will bring its Statewide Townhall Tour Saturday
Missouri Justice Coalition will bring its Statewide Townhall Tour ... KSMU Radio
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The Missouri Justice Coalition Statewide Townhall Tour
The Missouri Justice Coalition will kick off its Statewide Townhall Tour in Springfield on Saturday, November 4. The nonprofit advocacy organization aims to mobilize communities in support of comprehensive prison reform, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Advocating for Change and Rehabilitation
The founder and director of the Missouri Justice Coalition, ML Smith, emphasizes the importance of advocating for change on behalf of incarcerated individuals who lack a voice. Smith believes that preparing prisoners for life after incarceration is crucial. She highlights that over 90% of people in prison have an out date, meaning they will eventually return to their communities. However, prisons often fail to address their mental health issues and other health conditions, resulting in broken individuals upon release.
Current Education Programs in Missouri Department of Corrections
The Missouri Department of Corrections currently offers education programs that follow the guidelines set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. State statute requires offenders without a high school diploma or equivalent to participate in Adult Basic Education classes. Additionally, vocational education is provided.
The Townhall Tour and Accountability
The Missouri Justice Coalition’s Townhall Tour aims to encourage more individuals to work towards additional accountability within the Department of Corrections. The tour stop in Springfield on Saturday will include a screening of the documentary, “The First Step,” a panel discussion, and a Q&A session with organizers who have been directly impacted by the prison system. Attendees will also have access to information and resources related to prison reform.
If you would like to attend the event, please register here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. | The Missouri Department of Corrections currently offers education programs that follow the guidelines set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. | People coming out of prison have serious mental health issues and serious health conditions that were never addressed while they were incarcerated. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | The Missouri Justice Coalition is advocating for comprehensive prison reform to address the needs of incarcerated individuals and ensure equal access to justice. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions that the Missouri Department of Corrections offers education programs that follow the guidelines set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This connects to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article highlights the serious mental health issues and health conditions faced by individuals coming out of prison. This relates to SDG 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being for all.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The Missouri Justice Coalition is advocating for comprehensive prison reform to address the needs of incarcerated individuals and ensure equal access to justice. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
The education programs offered by the Missouri Department of Corrections aim to provide literacy and numeracy skills to incarcerated individuals, targeting those without a high school diploma or equivalent.
Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
The article highlights the lack of addressing mental health issues and health conditions of incarcerated individuals. Achieving universal health coverage and providing access to quality healthcare services for all, including those coming out of prison, is a target under SDG 3.
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
The Missouri Justice Coalition’s advocacy for comprehensive prison reform and equal access to justice for incarcerated individuals aligns with Target 16.3 of SDG 16.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions that the Missouri Department of Corrections offers education programs following the guidelines set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This indicates that progress towards Target 4.6 of SDG 4 can be measured by assessing the participation and outcomes of incarcerated individuals in these education programs.
The article also highlights the serious mental health issues and health conditions faced by individuals coming out of prison. Monitoring the provision of mental health services and addressing health conditions for individuals transitioning from incarceration can serve as indicators for progress towards Target 3.8 of SDG 3.
Additionally, the advocacy efforts of the Missouri Justice Coalition for comprehensive prison reform and equal access to justice can be considered as an indicator of progress towards Target 16.3 of SDG 16.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. | The Missouri Department of Corrections currently offers education programs that follow the guidelines set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. | People coming out of prison have serious mental health issues and serious health conditions that were never addressed while they were incarcerated. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | The Missouri Justice Coalition is advocating for comprehensive prison reform to address the needs of incarcerated individuals and ensure equal access to justice. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: ksmu.org
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