PEOPLE'S EXPUNGEMENT CLINICS
PULPING CRIMINAL RECORDS TO TELL THE STORIES OF THOSE MOST IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Throughout the project, the PPC has partnered with Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE) to co-design and facilitate a unique series of free legal clinics across Philadelphia. In each clinic, participants worked with PLSE lawyers to begin the process of clearing or cleaning up their criminal records. Participants then print out their records, tear them up, and put them in blenders to create new, blank sheets of handmade paper. Each participant writes and creates a polaroid portrait in response to the prompt: “Without these records I am...” Both writing and image are then embedded into the new paper comprised of individual’s shredded records. The resulting pages are being sewn together to create a giant paper quilt that will tour around the region to spark dialogue, empathy, and action around criminal justice reform.
Beyond working with PLSE and other legal aid organizations to co-design arts-integrated legal clinics, the PPC employs individuals in reentry. Co-op members develop skills in paper-making, public speaking, community organizing, critical thinking, and journalism. By merging art, legal advocacy, and emergent technologies, we hope to showcase how communities and practices that are typically siloed, can come together to create change on personal and systemic levels.
PULPING CRIMINAL RECORDS TO TELL THE STORIES OF THOSE MOST IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Throughout the project, the PPC has partnered with Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE) to co-design and facilitate a unique series of free legal clinics across Philadelphia. In each clinic, participants worked with PLSE lawyers to begin the process of clearing or cleaning up their criminal records. Participants then print out their records, tear them up, and put them in blenders to create new, blank sheets of handmade paper. Each participant writes and creates a polaroid portrait in response to the prompt: “Without these records I am...” Both writing and image are then embedded into the new paper comprised of individual’s shredded records. The resulting pages are being sewn together to create a giant paper quilt that will tour around the region to spark dialogue, empathy, and action around criminal justice reform.
Beyond working with PLSE and other legal aid organizations to co-design arts-integrated legal clinics, the PPC employs individuals in reentry. Co-op members develop skills in paper-making, public speaking, community organizing, critical thinking, and journalism. By merging art, legal advocacy, and emergent technologies, we hope to showcase how communities and practices that are typically siloed, can come together to create change on personal and systemic levels.
"When people look at your criminal record,
what don't they see about you?"
what don't they see about you?"
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COME VISIT! WE'RE OPEN TUES / FRIDAY FRI: 11-4
2558 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA The People's Paper Co-op has an amazing storefront space! Come by and visit, help make paper, participate in a ton of free public EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, FILM SCREENINGS, and SUPPORT GROUPS!! Check out calendar for more information! 
THE PEOPLE'S PAPER CO-OP IS AN ONGOING INITIATIVE
OF THE VILLAGE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES. All CLINICS ARE PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PHILADELPHIA LAWYERS FOR SOCIAL EQUITY | ||
SIDEWALK SILKSCREEN WORKSHOPS
For our monthly expungement clinics our team members came up with slogans and worked with Temple University students to design the images for our advocacy silk screens. The results were printed at the clinic both as posters and on clothes for people to take away.
TELL YOUR TAILS :
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPACTS OF CRIMINAL RECORDS
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPACTS OF CRIMINAL RECORDS
Tails follow you. They are always there. During our expungement clinics, we ask individuals to tell us their tails. On one side, people say how long their criminal records have been following them; on the other, participants response to the prompt,"How has your criminal record held you back?"
CARDS TO PRISONERS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
On November 18th, we held a holiday cards to prisoners event at Temple Contemporary. During the event, former prisoners and advocates spoke about their experiences and to the importance of creating connections between those in prison, and communities across the country. Afterwards, using the PPC's handmade paper, attendees created cards to send to incarcerated individuals. For each card sent in, a blank card was also sent, so those inside can send something special to family and friends.
SELECTIONS FROM OUR CARDS-TO-PRISONERS WORKSHOP
