ARrow Center for Justice Reform

Targeting and transforming system actors toward human dignity.

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

Floored by Marcus Bullock. His story, his drive, his dedication to the movement and his willingness to share himself with others. @flikshop. We are so incredibly honored to have Marcus as the Chairman of our Board. #arrowjustice #saopaulo

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

Grateful for the opportunity to visit Osaka Prison and learn firsthand about Japan’s correctional system.

[Heather Rice-Minus @RiceMinus]

“Just b/c we are confined in these walls doesn’t mean God can’t achieve His purpose for our lives. We just need to keep an eye out for all the little miracles” -says Don, incarcerated brother @CoreCivic facility in CO #ChurchInside @ARrow4Justice @prisonfellowshp @douglassproject

[Joe Marino III @Joe3Marino]

Someone remind me again why we needed to eliminate the possibility of parole in the Louisiana? Don’t we have a corrections officer shortage and are about to significantly expand prison population? @LouisianaHouse @louisianasenate #lagov #lalege @LAGovJeffLandry

[Glenn E. Martin 🐐 @glennEmartin]

The 2024 @DreamJustice Cohort application is live. This year @thedreamcorps is selecting 25 ppl impacted by the system to participate in their immersive advocacy training program.

Step into your leadership & apply now:

https://t.co/gWhpaAsbPV

[Arthur Rizer @arthurrizer]

We met these wonderful people in Colombia: Heroes of Love. They operate their foundation of reconciliation out of a pique house - which loosely translates to “chop house” - where the cartels literally cut up bodies of rival members to dispose. Amazing people. @ARrow4Justice

[Arthur Rizer @arthurrizer]

Visited a Colombia general-population men’s prison yesterday in Medellin. No official escort, no frills. In fact, it was maybe the first time I have felt during a prison visit that we were unwanted and the officers would make no steps to try and impress us.
@ARrow4Justice

[Glenn E. Martin 🐐 @glennEmartin]

Listen to my Saturday Morning Rant: Segment #35. “What I Learned about the US in a Brazilian Prison” #SaturdayMorningRants

Listen to more of my rants on @spotifypodcasts: https://t.co/34uJCQuSDo

[Glenn E. Martin 🐐 @glennEmartin]

More reflections and photos from my @ARrow4Justice sponsored visit to prisons in Sao Paulo Brazil: Prisons in Brazil present a complex landscape, with a mixture of positive, negative, and alarming aspects. On the positive side, there have been efforts to implement rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing recidivism rates (whatever that means). Some prisons offer educational and vocational training opportunities to residents, fostering skill development and increasing the chances of successful reintegration into society. Additionally, Brazil has taken steps to address issues of overcrowding, with initiatives focused on building new facilities and improving infrastructure, though not enough is being done to stem the flow and let people out earlier.

The system is plagued by numerous challenges, contributing to a concerning "bad and ugly" aspect. Overcrowding remains a persistent problem, leading to harsh living conditions, violence, and the spread of diseases within the facilities. "Gang-related" activities and control are prevalent, exacerbating security issues and impeding the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts. Human rights abuses, including reports of torture and degrading treatment, have been documented, highlighting a significant gap in the protection of prisoners' rights. The lack of adequate resources, insufficient staffing levels, and corruption further compound these problems, creating a complex and challenging environment within Brazilian prisons.

In Brazil, there is a notable exception to the traditional prison system in the form of the APAC (Associação de Proteção e Assistência aos Condenados) model. APAC prisons operate on a restorative justice approach, emphasizing rehabilitation and community involvement. Unlike conventional prisons, APAC facilities focus on creating a more humane environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability among residents. Residents are actively involved in the day-to-day operations, participating in various activities, such as work, education, and counseling sessions. The APAC model has gained recognition for its success in reducing recidivism rates and promoting positive behavioral changes among inmates. Despite facing challenges in terms of limited resources and scalability, APAC prisons represent a unique and promising alternative within the broader context of Brazil's penitentiary system.

More pics below.

[Scott E. Peyton @ScottEPeyton1]

Day 3 – 3.5 hr drive to Mina Gerais, BR -City of Pouso Alegre to tour the Centro de Reintegracao Social – Dr. Mario Ottboni. This facility is run by the non-profit APAC-Association for the Protection and Assistance to Convicts. 198 residents under the supervision of a staff of 20 from APAC. No correctional officers, no government staff. This facility was requested by the prosecutor of Mina Gerais. @RightOnCrime @ARrow4Justice #arrowjustice #brazil

[Glenn E. Martin 🐐 @glennEmartin]

There’s lots of evidence that Brazilian prisons are mostly controlled by its residents, even when there are correctional staff, and most of those stories include incidents of severe overcrowding, horrible living conditions, murders, brutality and “gang activity.” But, I visited another type of Brazilian prison yesterday, run without ANY correctional staff, and purely by volunteers. On some weekends, in fact, there are only two staff and 200 residents. Some of them formerly incarcerated themselves. It was definitely a spiritual experience. And I’m lucky enough to take this tour with a group of unpretentious and purely straightforward colleagues. Thanks for the opportunity @ARrow4Justice.

PS. Yes, that’s me debating whether a bald guy needs a hair net.

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

Our group came together on our last night in Brazil for thoughtful conversation about justice reform.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

[Damon Hininger @DamonHininger]

Goodbye @govbrazil! A great week in São Paulo seeing the sights and sounds of this beautiful city, state, and people. Thank you @governosp and @PMESP for hosting us this week for tours. And special thank you to @ARrow4Justice for putting this amazing and complex trip together. @CoreCivic is #betterthepublicgood

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

Rooting for the winning home team! #Palmeiras💚 - We had an amazing night, but are up bright and early this morning to travel to an #APAC facility just outside the city. #arrowjustice

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

We have arrived at the futbol game! Let’s go, Palmeiras! The group is enjoying some pre-game snacks. 💚⚽️

[Scott E. Peyton @ScottEPeyton1]

📢Unbelievable journey of @_marcus_bullock! After 8 years in prison, 42 job applications later, he landed a job at a paint store. This opportunity + his motivation, his desire to succeed catapulted him to bigger and greater opportunities. Today, he is a champion for those who are incarcerated & for the men and women who return home each year. @RightOnCrime @ARrow4Justice #arrowjustice #saopaulo #employment #secondchances

[Scott E. Peyton @ScottEPeyton1]

Day 2 in #SaoPaulo - an informative and welcoming tour of Presidio DA Policia Militar "Romao Gomes" prison which houses 152 former police officers convicted of crimes with a 1:1 guard to incarcerated ratio! @RightOnCrime @ARrow4Justice #arrowjustice

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

Big day ahead! We are visiting Presídio Romão Gomes, a facility that houses incarcerated former police; this evening our group has an exciting cultural experience on the agenda! 😉⚽️💚

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

RT @glennEmartin: Thanks to my friends at @ARrow4Justice, I had the opportunity to visit a women’s prison in São Paulo, Brazil today. We ha…

[ARrow Center for Justice Reform @ARrow4Justice]

During our visit to the Penitenciaria Feminina da Capital (a women’s correctional facility) we heard how human dignity for women and mothers who are incarcerated is always on the mind of directors and officers. #saopaulo #arrowjustice