Denver’s Jail Overcrowding Crisis — Community Conversation and Film Screening

Denver’s Jail Over-Crowding Crisis: How Poverty, Politics and Racism Are Filling Our Jails.  Join us for a Community Conversation and film screening.

Conversation: 5:00pm to 6:30pm (Free)

Film Screening: “Do Not Resist” – 7:00pm to 10:pm ($11).

Sie Film Center – 2510 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80206

Denver disproportionally incarcerates Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans at a much higher rate than is reflected in the general population, yet there is no official plan by city leaders to reduce racial disparities or alleviate the dangerous over-crowding conditions that is putting incarcerated people and jail staff at risk. Two and a half years after Denver’s jail reform effort began, and one year after appointing a new Sheriff, the people have yet to see results to justify an expanded public safety budget.

Amid a hostile national political climate toward people of color and women’s equity, dehumanization of immigrants and Muslims, acceleration of police militarization, erosion of civil rights protections, and the failure to strike slavery from the state constitution, public engagement and government accountability is needed now more than ever.

This event kicks-off a series of truth and transparency sessions to get answers about Denver’s mass incarceration crisis and the failure of public leaders to decrease the rapidly rising jail population, expand programs and services, and improve safety conditions within the state’s largest jail system. Community members and subject matter experts will discuss why the system is so broken and create an urgent policy platform to demand action from local and state policymakers to avert the next tragedy within Denver’s jails.

Partner Organizations:

Colorado Latino Forum, Denver Chapter

Colorado Council of Churches

Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

Committee for City and Airport Fairness

Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance

NAACP Denver Branch

NEWSED

Shorter Community AME Church

The Veterans of Hope Project