First Followers

Our mission at First Followers is to build strong and peaceful communities. We provide support and guidance to the formerly incarcerated and to the community.

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

Benefit for TIME Scholars, the on campus org of @firstfollowers_ @UCIMC @BuildPrograms @JamesCorbin_ @SunnyTure @KlevahKnox

[First Followers @firstfollowers_]

Come and Join Us as We Honor FirstFollowers Tygar at 6th Annual MAS Black American Heritage Event.

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

So honored to receive @nationalbook award for social justice lit last week in LA. Thanks to @hthompsn and all those who made it possible. Shout out to my fellow awardees @KalishaOnline @JimmySBaca @ayeletw Teresa Martinez RobinLevi DwayneBetts @thenewpress

[The 21st Show @21stShow]

“Trying to find a job as someone with a criminal background is very hard because employers are scared," says Casandis Hunt.

Casandis was formerly incarcerated and has been working at the @Illinois_Alma for 3 years. She also serves as a peer mentor with @firstfollowers_.

[Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center @UCIMC]

Great panel tonight on electronic monitoring w/ @waazn1 Edmund Burke and friends #ChallengingEcarceration @mediajustice @mediaaction @firstfollowers_

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

The most underutilized #YouTube resource for those fighting mass incarceration: the wonderful videos from @C_Resistance that bring us clips from some of the greatest thinkers and activists in our ranks. Check them out: https://t.co/TFb41zUrPg @prisonculture @MayaSchenwar

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

"Prisons are the worst distillation of toxic masculinity," said @alan_uplc Mills. "That's just the way we run prisons in this country. It's all about inflicting punishment on people. It's about dehumanizing people." https://t.co/dHTiOMdvWI @LVikkiml @CosbyMoni @andreacjames

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

The movement to end mass incarceration faces political reluctance to
reduce the U.S. prison population and must address calls to expand the prison population, increase prison terms for immigration violations,
reversals of sentencing reform punitive responses to
opioid crisis.

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

The most useful quick look at US mass incarceration. Thanks again to the great work by @prisonpolicy The U.S. incarcerates 2.3 million people, more than any other country. Where are they locked up and why? See new data: https://t.co/1vOp6FUJ77 via @prisonpolicy

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

#BeyondtheBars @expowisconsin member AlanSchultz talks about MSDF maximum security facility former warden says "it is the worst designed prison in America" 17 deaths in recent years

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

This report shows the kind of follow up and pressure we need during any shift toward decarceration. Without monitoring the changes and calling out the failures, the moments of deceit, decarceration will degenerate quickly...@ChiBondFund #nomorejails #endcashbail #noankleshackles https://t.co/bPWead19AI

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

I am creating a national data base of solitary survivors @NOMORESHU

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

#BeyondTheBars2018 "almost everyone in Broome county has an interest in NOT building a new jail" #nomorejails

[Center for Justice @CfJColumbia]

REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Join us at the Beyond the Bars Conference from March 1-4, 2018 to discuss closing jails and prisons!
Register Here: https://t.co/YlpdqtJUXe

[Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center @UCIMC]

Great work being done by @firstfollowers_ #rentry https://t.co/l850VuBTge

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

This video shows 10 young people from Champaign building community as they learn construction skills. The system had cast them aside but @firstfollowers_ believes in them https://t.co/aeWpBA4NoH @UCIMC @

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

Black youth on EM go to jail for violating house arrest by standing on their front porch, people on parole on EM barred from working overtime, Manafort &Gates galavant in their mansions and travel to holiday houses. #thepoorgetprison #ankleshackle https://t.co/UjF5UmsofE

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

Thanks to everyone who supported @firstfollowers_ in 2017. We will keep pushing on in 2018.

[James Kilgore @waazn1]

New #decarceration strategy: US cities dealing with homelessness by giving people one-way bus tickets to the city of their "choice" #Greyhoundcheaperthanjailcell
https://t.co/B2iGZAS8eM

[First Followers @firstfollowers_]

@UCIMC thanks for the follow!