The Re-Entry Journey: Episode 72 - Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia(Holistic Safety in Corrections)

In 2018, Dr. Jones Tapia was named Chicago Beyond’s first-ever Leader in Residence, a fellowship for community leaders, focused on tackling significant challenges facing Chicago’s youth. In partnership with Chicago Beyond and the communities it serves, her primary focus is on young people experiencing trauma, including those whose parents have been incarcerated. Since joining the Chicago Beyond team, she collaborated to launch Beyond Incarceration, a pilot program with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Chicago Children’s Museum, and Lurie Hospital’s Center for Childhood Resilience focused on reducing the stigma and trauma that surrounds young people impacted by parental incarceration. She also led Chicago Beyond’s partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to reduce harms caused by correctional institutions. Additionally, she played an integral role in Chicago Beyond’s work with Chicago Public Schools to foster a more healing-centered school district. Nneka previously served as the warden of Cook County jail, where she spearheaded a number of reforms aimed at reducing the number of people held at the institution. Prior to her 11-year tenure at Cook County Jail (in various roles), she worked in several community mental health agencies throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Her focus was the provision of community mental health services to the African American community, youth and adults. #podcast #prison #reentry #subscribe #journey #motivation