by MOSES Publications | May 21, 2025 | Life After Prison, Profiles
Meet Returning Citizen Leon Irby
By Sherry Reames
When Leon Irby entered prison in 1972, he was facing the kind of sentence that could, under the right circumstances, have allowed his release on parole as soon as 1999 or 2000. As things turned out, however, he wasn’t released until another 25 years had gone by. When I asked what kept him behind bars for more than 50 years, he said, with a wry smile, that he was a “‘60s social activist” in his youth and never let himself be reconciled to the system that was oppressing him and other prisoners.
Leon nearly always resisted in nonviolent ways, having been influenced by Martin Luther King Jr. But he continually aggravated the authorities by filing complaints, participating in hunger strikes, writing letters to the press, and calling unwelcome attention to problems the authorities were trying to conceal. He also learned enough about the law to file appeal after appeal on behalf of other prisoners as well as himself. And sometimes his appeals succeeded! One of his important cases established the right of Wisconsin prisoners to file civil actions to correct errors and falsifications in their records. Another case made it harder for prison authorities to make unjustified use of solitary confinement.
The authorities retaliated against Leon, of course. They stood back and allowed other prisoners to beat him up. They tried diagnosing him as mentally ill and sought court permission to medicate him against his will, but the judge ruled that he was sane. They kept him in solitary confinement for years, and even sent him to the Supermax at Boscobel. (He responded by filing a suit over conditions there.) They also shipped him out of state to the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas – where, in an irony they presumably didn’t expect, he found more humane treatment than he’d seen and experienced in Wisconsin.
Leon’s most important victory over the system, of course, was his ability to survive all those ordeals. He finally emerged from prison in January 2025 with his mind and spirit still intact. Allies at the UW Law School, including professors Kate Finley and Zoe Engberg and their students, had been working since 2017 to get him released on parole, and Attorney Laura Yurs and her assistant Danté Cottingham pitched in at the end to satisfy the final requirements from the parole board. Leon has already lectured to one of Professor Engberg’s classes, sharing some of his hard-won knowledge of the prison system.
Leon has a lot to teach non-lawyers too, as I discovered in a couple of half-hour conversations, because he knows so much about the history of Wisconsin’s penal system, as well as its current problems. He has started attending the MOSES monthly general meetings, and I hope many other MOSES members will get to know him. We have a lot to learn from his experience and insights, and I hope we can repay some of that debt by sharing our knowledge of Madison as he looks for a job and more permanent housing here.
by MOSES Publications | Mar 17, 2025 | Information, Newsletter, Profiles
By Ken Warren
Madison Christian Community (MCC), one of the faith communities supporting MOSES, is rather unique in the area. The church actually consists of two congregations from different denominations, Advent Lutheran of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Community of Hope of the United Church of Christ (UCC). The building contains two sanctuaries where the two congregations typically have individual worship services. About 45 times a year the two congregations have the opportunity to worship together, with 10 to 12 of those being joint Sunday Morning services.The pastors are the Rev. Jen Petricca Bloesch of Community of Hope and the Rev. Nick Utphall of Advent Lutheran.
I had the opportunity to speak with the two pastors regarding the mission of the two congregations, the joint mission of MCC, and their intersection with MOSES. When asked about their knowledge of MOSES, both pastors acknowledged a general understanding of the mission of MOSES but less awareness of the specific current actions of the organization. Pastor Nick is more aware of the history of MOSES, as he has been involved for many years with criminal justice concerns through the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW). The issues and concerns of that organization overlap with those of WISDOM and MOSES. Pastor Jen, as a newer pastor in the area, is less familiar with the history of MOSES, but she is becoming more aware of some of the specific issues, as she has been researching social justice issues in Dane County for a sermon series.
Pastor Jen sees MOSES reflecting the beliefs of the UCC denomination because one of its strong principles is to honor the dignity of the individual, regardless of social, economic, or ethnic status. More specifically, in 2023 the UCC National Synod approved a resolution condemning prolonged solitary confinement as torture. Pastor Nick stresses the fact that the church is a voice for the voiceless. In 2013 the ELCA adopted a social statement that called for significant prison reform. (Click here to read the statement.) https://www.elca.org/faith/faith-and-society/social-statements/criminal-justice?_ga=2.168586020.466169373.1739233975-1457664399.1532463199
Financial support for MOSES comes through the unified body of Madison Christian Community (rather than through the individual congregations), as does much of MCC’s engagement with social issues. Both pastors see MOSES as reflecting the values and beliefs of MCC, and Pastor Nick points out that as a congregation heavily consisting of privileged white people, it is easier to give money to causes. Both pastors also point out that, besides financial support, the church has many programs directed toward the social needs of the community, and many members put their hands and minds to use for those causes, many of which overlap with MOSES’ aims. Additionally, many members are engaged in efforts for community welfare through organizations other than the church.
When asked how MOSES could best bring information and concerns to the attention of the members of MCC, Pastor Jen pointed out that on a national and state level, jail and prison advocacy is not on center stage. She suggests that some semi-regular education about prison reform issues, whether through announcements at services on Sunday morning, articles in the MCC weekly newsletter, or on the MCC webpage, would be of value. Pastor Nick caused this writer some discomfort when he stated that he was not aware that MOSES puts out a newsletter every two months. He pointed out that he gets regular emails from groups such as JustDane and will scan them for pertinent articles. It is obviously not effective to just place a couple of copies of the newsletter in the community area of the church, since its availability must be publicized. Pastor Nick also suggested presenting a “MOSES Fact of the Month” to the church.
Both Pastors Nick and Jen point out that the ideological orientation of MCC fits very well with the mission of MOSES. Pastor Jen says that she never fears repercussions from the congregation if she delivers a sermon on social concerns. Pastor Nick commented that he feels he preaches less on political issues than when he was at a previous church. At MCC, everyone is kind of on the same page. He suggested that a sermon should motivate us to think theologically (and act) about social concerns, and not just pat ourselves on the back for how right our political perspective is. Pastor Jen says that the important work is to turn that ideological orientation into meaningful action. MOSES can help in that way by letting the congregation know about specific actions our organization is taking and encouraging participation.
by Margaret Irwin | Mar 17, 2025 | Information, Life After Prison, Newsletter, Prisons, Profiles
By Margaret Irwin
Growing up in a troubled home, Jessica Jacobs had to deal with a lot of problems; and as she puts it, the problems get passed down from one generation to the next. Jessica appreciates her mother, who did the best she could to take care of the family, mostly as a single mom. Nevertheless, Jessica had her first child at 14. She was fostered by a friend of the family when her mom wasn’t able to take care of her. Jessica started working full time and had to drop out of school very early. By the age of 16 she was emancipated and living in her own apartment.
She was locked up for the first time for a DUI when she was 17. For Jessica, the probation system in Wisconsin seemed to be set up to keep her incarcerated. She was caught up in a cycle, she says; “every dumb decision” landed her back in jail. She didn’t realize it at the time, but she was suffering from PTSD and used alcohol and drugs to self-medicate. Continued substance abuse eventually led her to prison in her 20’s. What she needed was treatment, not incarceration. She overdosed twice in an attempt to end her suffering. The response of the carceral system, when this young woman was near death, was to charge her for having drugs in her system. She readily admitted she had taken the drugs, but no drugs were found in her possession. Her mental health was further impaired due to assaults by prison officers.
In prison Jessica found the programming was of mixed value. Some of it was okay, but other programs she labels “treacherous.” “They want you to become a robot,” she says. In any case, these programs didn’t help her break free from addiction, which she so badly wanted and needed. She found an additional barrier to healing in transitional housing arrangements that were often not healthy and safe.
Jessica’s desperate search for help eventually led her to discover she was suffering from PTSD. She hadn’t understood that she was having a mental health crisis when her life would spiral out of control. She had to learn what PTSD does to you; she had to learn to recognize what was happening and to use techniques to deal with the crisis.
As she healed, Jessica became determined to make changes for people inside prison, as well as when they are released. She began her educational journey with the Odyssey program. From there she graduated from Madison College, and now she is a student at the UW. She plans to declare a double major in social welfare and anthropology. Every step of the way, she has been encouraged by mentors to take the next step.
Another form of learning was Jessica’s introduction to advocacy groups – first FREE, and then MOSES and WISDOM. She attended trainings; she learned about the JSRI and Conditions of Confinement task forces; she met supportive people like Peggy West-Schroder, James Morgan, and Rachel Kincade. Last year Peggy told her to apply for the position of organizer of FREE Madison, and she got the job!
FREE works to support both women in prison and those formerly incarcerated. Jessica helps FREE work toward their goals, which include a prison doula program, Health Care for All, Unchained Wisconsin (legislation to prohibit shackling of pregnant women in prison), Housing Not Handcuffs (dignified housing as a human right), and Circles of Support for women involved in the carceral system. Jessica currently leads a Circle of Support in the Dane County juvenile detention center. She feels called to work with girls who are in trouble because she has been there herself. She finds joy in the way the girls connect with her immediately when she tells her story.
In her journey of transformation from troubled young person to free, strong, and mature contributing citizen, Jessica has “gone with the flow,” letting her higher power guide her. Her career goal is to teach, either in an alternative high school or in prison. She would love to work in Odyssey Beyond Bars. Outside of work, her greatest source of joy is her sons, as she watches them become successful young men.
Last December Jessica was one of the honorees at the MOSES Transformation Celebration. Her message to MOSES is one of thanks for our support, work, and commitment. “You have such empathy and compassion to do this work,” she says, “even though you haven’t directly experienced these things.”
by MOSES Publications | Dec 31, 2024 | Events, MOSES activities, Profiles, Support MOSES, Yearbook
It was cold and wet outside, but inside it was warm, welcoming, and festive at the MOSES Transformation Celebration Gala on December 14 at the Brassworks in Goodman Community Center. Our focus was celebrating three justice-impacted persons whose perseverance and talent helped them successfully transform their own lives as well as others who are or have been incarcerated. Our honorees have given people hope, skills, and tools for restoration and wholeness.
A delicious buffet greeted the arriving guests. It was prepared and served by members of TEENworks, a vocational program that offers marketable work skills and experience to teenagers. The program began with a welcome from Saundra Brown, President of MOSES, followed by a farewell reflection from Sister Joan Duerst, who is relocating to Racine. Carol Rubin, founding president of MOSES, was honored with a plaque and a standing ovation. James Morgan, MOSES Community Organizer, spoke on the theme of transformation. Judge Everett Mitchell came forward to praise James for his achievements in his own transformation and in his work for justice among the marginalized of the community.
Carmella Glenn, former honoree and current Violence Intervention Supervisor at Public Health Madison and Dane County, served as the emcee for the awards ceremony. Each of the honorees told their story through an inspiring video produced by Dee Star of Star Media Productions. Saundra Brown then presented each of them with a beautiful blown glass piece.
The honorees are: Kingston Robertson – Brand owner, Holy Godz clothing and gear, and mentor to young adults in youth groups and prisons; Jessica Jacobs – Dane County Community Organizer for FREE and advocate for women’s issues; Action Jackson – Owner of Jackson Yard Care, the largest Black-owned landscape business in Dane County, and underwriter and trainer in a workforce development program for youth.
Special Guests included Judge Everett Mitchell; Greg Jones, President of NAACP Madison Branch; Rebekah Jones of the County Deferred Prosecution Unit; Linda Ketchum, Executive Director of Just Dane; David Liners, WISDOM State Coordinator; several Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa; Diane Ballweg of the Madison Justice Team, with special thanks for her generous donation; and10 previously incarcerated individuals, welcomed with the hope they, too, will be inspired to keep working to achieve their dreams.
The evening concluded with a raffle drawing for prizes including original artwork by James Morgan, Buck & Honey’s gift package, Ian’s Pizza coupons, Willy Street gift cards, 2 pair handcrafted earrings, and 2 tickets to a performance at the Overture Center for the Arts.
Quotations from our honorees
Kingston Robertson: “In the midst of pain, struggle, life, love – be careful who you give your heart to”
Jessica Jacobs: “The … women I’ve met through Narcotics Anonymous and support groups … and my mother [are] my big inspiration now. After all those things that I lived through, I feel like I have become an effective person.”
Action Jackson: “I had to prove myself. The type of things I did to prepare myself were to start working on my GED, to read the Bible, and really get into books and the dictionary.”
Gala Sponsors
- American Family Insurance
- Summit Credit Union
- Dick Goldberg
- Madison Gas & Electric
- Forward Community Investment
- Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
- Alison and John Mix
- Lake Edge Lutheran Church
Media
Dee Starr: Interview Videographer
Terry Gibson: Photographer
Gala Planning Team
Mary Anglim, Sister Joan Duerst, Sister Fran Hoffman, Eric Howland, Ann Lacy, James Morgan, Ken Warren, with assistance from Rachel Morgan and the volunteers who set up and cleaned up
by MOSES Publications | Mar 1, 2024 | Information, Life After Prison, Newsletter, Profiles
Get to Know Our 2023 Gala Honorees a Little Bit Better!
By Sherry Reames
Heleema Berg‘s current job title is Recovery Support Specialist at the Wisconsin Resource Center (WRC), a maximum-security institution which provides the best opportunities in Wisconsin for incarcerated people to receive mental health and substance use treatment. Drawing on her own lived experiences of poverty, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and substance and sexual abuse, as well as several years of incarceration, she describes her vocation as “supporting others in recovery and walking with them as they figure it out.”
Heleema doesn’t limit herself to just a few kinds of support! In the past few years she has not only earned state certification as a Peer Support Specialist and Parent Peer Specialist, but has also become certified to train others for these roles. She works with Deb Mejchar, folks from the UW Odyssey Project, and others in the areas of restorative justice, grief support, re-entry parenting, and preventing sex trafficking. Drawing on other parts of her life experience, Heleema has also taken on the role of Native American spiritual leader at the WRC and volunteer spiritual leader at Taycheedah. She has become an Indigenous doula and completed training to work as a doula inside the prison system. She also does advocacy work surrounding justice-impacted individuals and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Heleema lives in Green Bay and is the mother of five children, ranging in age from 7 to 25. She says her life motto is, “Do not let anyone put you in a box, including yourself, as you can do anything you want if you work hard for it!”
Catoya Roberts returned to Milwaukee, her hometown, after graduating from Hampton Institute in Virginia and started to make a name for herself as an organizer and community leader. If you look her up online, you will see her identified as an organizer for MICAH and Urban Milwaukee (a role she had from 2011 to 2018), later an associate director of WISDOM with the mission of supporting other local organizers, co-founder of FREE, and national director of Movement Building for the Children’s Defense Fund, with racial equity and the welfare of women and children as focus areas.
Catoya’s current title is director of the Community Justice Council in Milwaukee. That means she now heads an effort to bring together the principle decision-makers in the city who deal with criminal justice — the chief judge, district attorney, public defender, police chief, sheriff, mayor, and other community leaders — with the goal of developing strategic plans to improve public safety and the quality of life for everybody.
Catoya’s dedication to criminal-justice reform has been shaped in large part by her own life experience. Her father was often absent during her childhood because he was in and out of incarceration. Her brother has been repeatedly incarcerated as well because of mental illness, and she is helping to raise his children and trying to save her nephew from the system. Especially close to her heart are two current statewide campaigns: the work of FREE, as it strives in Madison and elsewhere to create healthy, affordable, and safe housing opportunities for re-entering women with children; and efforts to rethink the community supervision system, making it much less intrusive and more humane.
Note: Although our third honoree, Dee Star, was too busy to be interviewed, he is already well known in Madison.
