University Park, IL,
06
November
2019
|
16:21 PM
America/Chicago

State's Attorney Kim Foxx talks Criminal Justice Reform at Governors State

Kim Foxx, Cook County State's Attorney, recently visited Governors State University (GSU) to discuss Criminal Justice Reform with Social Work Student Organization (SWSO), the Social Work Department, and Generating Hope, a GSU organization that provides support and advocacy for individuals who have been impacted by mass incarceration.

Foxx packed the auditorium and electrified the audience, many of whom were eager to hear her ideas on reform.

Foxx told the audience that meeting resistance to her work is indicative of a transformative change, a sign that she’s on the right path. The path to criminal justice reform for Foxx is holistic, and centered on healing the individuals involved in crime as much as healing the system. Considering trauma when engaging with the justice system is essential, she noted.

This can be accomplished only through education, and through the very audience she addressed at Governors State.

“We cannot look at our Criminal Justice system as separate from our education system and think we are going to make a difference.”

Calling on the social work students and members of the SWSO, Foxx said they could lead change in the future.

“I think we need more people from social work. Social workers know that trauma can be long lasting, generational. That wraparound services are essential. Social workers know how to empower folks to reach their own full potential.”