In this episode Joy Gilfilen, host of iChange Justice podcast, asks Irene Morgan to talk about why, as an 80-year old grandmother, she is still standing up for “Right Action for All”. What got her learning about Peacemaking, reconciliation and non-violent communication, counseling and Restorative Justice? What drove her to learn about whole family trauma recovery, abuse addiction and healing work? Join us to learn how – for she’s built a bridge to help those facing huge barriers to reentering society.

What happened that she has become a spiritual healer and civic activist and started questioning how the business operations of the prison industrial complex works? As a prior co-owner operator of a meatpacking slaughter business with her husband and children she started with questions, then in the 70’s,80’s and 90’s she began volunteering at the local non-profit Northwest Youth services, the Homeless Coalition, Crisis Services, served on the Community Accountability Board before working at Sean Humphrey House. Eventually she saw the gap and found her voice as the founder of the Restorative CommUnity Coalition to work resolving jail and prison issues.

“I have always been a champion for the underdog…then one evening I met Don Kirchner, author of “A Matter of Time”. He’d been incarcerated and faced up to 25 years in Federal prison, when he started working with inmates, to help them heal and as a result the prosecutor dropped the additional charges.

His book opened my eyes. He’s become a champion advocating for all people involved in the jail, justice and reentry business. It inspired me to start the RCC with14 members, including several from the Dept. of Corrections in 2006. We’ve now worked with thousands of inmates, friends, families, interns, judges, and employees of law enforcement, court employees and service providers. “I have great hope for our future!” - Irene Morgan