Through an Independent Study Program at The Latin School of Chicago, I have started this website called Chicago Students for Criminal Justice Reform, which is a database of interviews. My goal is to interview the faces of criminal justice reform in Chicago. A couple summers ago, I attended the Law Institute at Georgetown University Pre-College. While we discussed how the law works, we also delved into the flaws in our justice system. Intrigued by what I learned, I could not stop thinking about the men and women who spent their lives in jail when in reality, they committed no crime. I also started to research mass incarceration and learned the devastating effect it has on individuals, families, and whole communities. Upon discovering the blatant human rights violations in our prison system, I knew that I needed to do something to make a difference in how our government and justice system handles convicted criminals and those who claim to be wrongly convicted. I soon learned that an essential part of changing the system is educating the people around me. I hope these interviews and stories will do that. Please contact me if you have questions or suggestions. 

—Siena Craigie