Overview
Recognizing that women are the fastest-growing segment in our justice system, there is a powerful opportunity to shift from incarceration to support. By addressing the root causes of women’s involvement — such as poverty, abuse and domestic violence — community-based solutions can be created that recognize their humanity, strengthen families and foster true recovery.
Join our Women’s History Month Standing in Solidarity conversation on trauma-informed and gender-responsive alternatives to incarceration. Find out how New Jersey is a national role model for protecting the rights of women in prison.
The program includes the world premiere of Set Her Free: Exposing the Trauma to Prison Pipeline, this month’s PSEG Foundation Social Impact documentary. The film is executive produced by Newark native Dr. Jamila Davis who is also a featured panelist.
Our program will open with a performance by Ritual4Return, an NJPAC Arts & Well-Being program for formerly incarcerated people that uses the arts to create a homecoming rite of passage.
This event is produced by Women@NJPAC, a powerhouse community of women committed to supporting the Arts Center’s social impact work.
The panel conversation will be moderated by Helen Archontou, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Northern New Jersey.
Our panelists include:
Dr. Jamila T. Davis, Executive Producer of Set Her Free
New Jersey Senator Angela V. McKnight (D-Dist. 31)
Dr. Darcella Sessomes, Chief of Programs and Reintegration Services, State of New Jersey Department of Corrections
Cass Severe, Founder of Meet Her At The Gate, a survivor-led, trauma-informed reentry initiative grounded in kinship, dignity and community care