Collaboration for More Impact!

Ending Mass Incarceration

Ebenezer Baptist Church, The Temple, Auburn Seminary and other interfaith partners are collaborating on a national initiative to leverage spiritual power, people power and faith community resources to end mass incarceration in the United States. The Multifaith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration (EMI) is focused on catalyzing a faith-rooted response to the issue in a way that adds value to existing work and furthers coherence in faith-rooted efforts. Our vision is for multifaith communities to exercise and amplify their calls for eliminating mass incarceration in a dedicated, savvy, and impactful manner.

The multifaith community is uniquely positioned to draw upon ancient traditions, moral vocabulary and the institutional strength of collective witness to address the depth of this human rights catastrophe. A number of ministries and congregations actively support those who are presently or formerly incarcerated, but religious communities have yet to speak in a clear and coherent theological voice about the systems that perpetuate mass incarceration. Faith communities can play a critical role in organizing an effective moral witness against the laws, policies, and policing practices that contribute to the continuing evolution of mass incarceration.

The concerns around mass incarceration are shared by a wide variety of constituencies. As a result, this issue has great bridge-building potential across theological, political, geographic and ideological differences. We continue to actively involve the voices and leadership of the formerly incarcerated, along with their families, in the planning and implementation of our work. We are committed to ensuring such leadership remains at the center of our efforts.

Ending Mass Incarceration

Ebenezer Baptist Church, The Temple, Auburn Seminary and other interfaith partners are collaborating on a national initiative to leverage spiritual power, people power and faith community resources to end mass incarceration in the United States. The Multifaith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration (EMI) is focused on catalyzing a faith-rooted response to the issue in a way that adds value to existing work and furthers coherence in faith-rooted efforts. Our vision is for multifaith communities to exercise and amplify their calls for eliminating mass incarceration in a dedicated, savvy, and impactful manner.

The multifaith community is uniquely positioned to draw upon ancient traditions, moral vocabulary and the institutional strength of collective witness to address the depth of this human rights catastrophe. A number of ministries and congregations actively support those who are presently or formerly incarcerated, but religious communities have yet to speak in a clear and coherent theological voice about the systems that perpetuate mass incarceration. Faith communities can play a critical role in organizing an effective moral witness against the laws, policies, and policing practices that contribute to the continuing evolution of mass incarceration.

The concerns around mass incarceration are shared by a wide variety of constituencies. As a result, this issue has great bridge-building potential across theological, political, geographic and ideological differences. We continue to actively involve the voices and leadership of the formerly incarcerated, along with their families, in the planning and implementation of our work. We are committed to ensuring such leadership remains at the center of our efforts.