Every year the Department of Justice and Community Studies hosts a week-long series of events centered around a specific criminal justice related topic. These events give students unique opportunities to engage with people that have helped to directly shape our current criminal justice system.

Keynote Address - John Tinker and Mary Beth Tinker: Free Speech in Contentious Times
Sept. 16, 7 p.m.
Parrish Auditorium, Hamilton Campus.

On the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), the lead plaintiffs in that case join us to discuss the First Amendment and the state of free speech rights in America today.  Followed by a public reception. This event is made possible through the generous support of the Joyce Hulse Manko Memorial Lecture in Government endowment.

Cost of Poverty Experience – Re-Entry Edition
Sept. 18, 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, Hamilton Campus.

Welcome to the Cost of Poverty Experience: Reentry Edition™. This simulation allows others a glimpse into the life of Returning Citizens attempting to integrate back into their communities.

For many Americans, the thoughts of Returning Citizens are fleeting, just something that happens to other people who have made mistakes and broke the law, and appropriately serving their time. The Cost of Poverty Experience™ Reentry Edition gives people a chance to see for themselves the difficulties that Returning Citizens face as they try to return to their communities and families. COPE represents the lives of 15 families who live in the Ohio area and who have graciously given their story so that people across the country can be exposed to real people, real situations and real barriers that exist.

RSVP is required.