SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG

Read and share the extraordinary stories from the frontlines of social change

The Highs and Lows of Mental Health Care Class Action Litigation in Illinois Prisons
Class Actions, Prisoners' Rights, Mental Health Teddy Basham-Witherington Class Actions, Prisoners' Rights, Mental Health Teddy Basham-Witherington

The Highs and Lows of Mental Health Care Class Action Litigation in Illinois Prisons

While some progress was made, Illinois Department of Corrections never came close to meeting the requirements of the settlement. It did not have enough staff. Too many people with mental illnesses remained in solitary, no meaningful treatment was provided to people on crisis watch, and it was never able to consistently provide the required out-of-cell time (among other failings). As the residential treatment units began to fill up, correctional treatment officers were no longer part of the mental health team. Many new supervisors, who were transferred from traditional maximum-security prisons, brought their punishment-based culture with them..

Read More
Impact Fund Grantees Combat Injustice & Score Major Victories in 2023
Impact Litigation, Social Justice Teddy Basham-Witherington Impact Litigation, Social Justice Teddy Basham-Witherington

Impact Fund Grantees Combat Injustice & Score Major Victories in 2023

As we approach the end of 2023, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on our grantees’ incredible accomplishments. This year, Impact Fund grantees achieved meaningful change for a wide range of communities experiencing injustice, including incarcerated people, racial justice protesters, mobile home residents, unhoused people, and more. We were honored to help support these cases, which demonstrate how impact litigation can be an effective tool to hold powerful entities accountable.

Read More
It’s Not the Numbers, It’s the People
Impact Fund, Succession Planning Teddy Basham-Witherington Impact Fund, Succession Planning Teddy Basham-Witherington

It’s Not the Numbers, It’s the People

As I prepare to turn over the reins of the Impact Fund to Lindsay, I cannot help but reflect on some of the turning points in the organization’s history and some important people who have made the organization what it is.  I write to highlight just a few of those moments and individuals, although I feel that I could fill a book with stories of the many talented people who are or have been part of our Impact Fund family over the past 30 years.

Read More