Connecting 4 Justice Conference

Call for Presentations

Each year, the Connecting 4 Justice Conference unites changemakers from inside and outside the carceral system—service providers, families, policymakers, advocates, those with lived experience, and community leaders—to spark solutions, forge powerful partnerships, and build stronger and safer communities.

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Areas of Interest

Prisoner’s Family Perspective

Presentations addressing issues specific to incarcerated or returning family members, emphasizing maintaining and strengthening family bonds throughout and after incarceration.

Community Perspective

Presentations showcasing best-practice programs, organizations, and resources that support the unique needs of the entire prison family—from arrest through incarceration and community reintegration to family reunification.

Legal Perspective

Faith-Based Perspective

Presentations exploring what is working (and what is not) in spiritually grounding and sustaining the prison family during and after incarceration.

Health Perspective (Mental & Medical)

Presentations on issues affecting the mental and physical health of incarcerated individuals and their families, both during and after incarceration

Special Issues

Presentations that address unique challenges impacting those affected by incarceration, such as sensitivity to victims, substance abuse/addiction, sex offenders and their families, gang involvement, female offenders self-care, fundraising, marketing, and social media/technology issus.

Advocacy and Organizing

Presentations offering guidance on how to bring about positive change, reduce trauma, and improve the quality of life for all affected by incarceration.

Presenter Formats:

Experiential Sessions

Interactive, hands-on activities designed to engage participants and provide an immersive learning or networking experience.

Plenary Sessions

Main sessions that typically involve all conference attendees. These sessions address broad themes and showcase keynote speakers.

Panel Discussion

A platform for engaging discussions and diverse perspectives on relevant topics.

Single or Double Presenter Workshops

Workshops led by either one or two presenters, offering valuable insights and interactive learning.

Presentation Selection Criteria:

The Connecting 4 Justice Committee will evaluate all proposals based on the following criteria:

Overall quality of the proposal
Relevance to the conference mission and themes
Well-defined focus within the program track structure
Practical applicability of the content
Timeliness and importance of the topic
Speaker qualifications

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Special Note for Presenter Applicants: In cases where we receive multiple strong submissions on a similar topic, we may offer the opportunity for applicants to collaborate on a joint presentation. If you are open to working with others or participating in a panel, please let us know.

Presenter Registration:

All presenters must register for the conference and submit the registration fee, which includes a reduced rate for presenters. The registration confirms your participation in the conference program. Please note that we are unable to offer any form of remuneration for presenters. We seek speakers and facilitators who are passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to supporting and serving the prison family community.

Presenters are strongly encouraged to attend the full conference, and the registration fee is non-refundable, as a portion of the fee supports prison family member scholarships.

Submission Deadline:

Be sure to read and follow the guidelines carefully. Submit your application online by following the link at the top of this page. For questions or assistance, please email us or call us at 503-799-7084

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