Beyond Inclusion: Changing Environments to be More Affirming of Queer & Transgender People
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SESSION INFO

Tuesday, August 24, 2021
1:30PM - 3:00PM
Session Type: Workshop
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people are overrepresented at every stage of criminal justice system, starting with juvenile justice system involvement. They are arrested, incarcerated, and subjected to community supervision at significantly higher rates than straight and cisgender people. This is especially true for trans people and queer women. And while incarcerated, LGBTQ individuals are subject to particularly inhumane conditions and treatment. Criminal justice settings mistreat of the LGBTQ+ community in the past and present has left many transgender and queer people feeling uneasy or unsafe about complying with court-ordered conditions. Many community correction staff want to serve the LGBTQ+ community but may have questions about how to best communicate this. In this presentation, we will go through each room of an agency, from the waiting room to the pretrial, probation/parole office, and discuss best practices for showing consideration for the LGBTQ+ community.

SESSION PRESENTERS
Mr. Johnny Jamal Alexander, LCSW
U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer, US Probation Office - NDGA


Johnny Alexander is a respected trauma expert, criminal justice professional, Certified. Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Master Addiction Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive success in treating mental health and substance use disorders. He has helped countless people cope with grief, loss, and social inequities with evidence based intervention strategies. Through his work as a United States Probation and Pretrial Services Officer in many problem-solving courts, including Veterans Treatment Court, he has helped justice-involved individuals stop their destructive behavioral patterns. Johnny is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work and Part-time student at Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, where he is currently earning a Juris Doctorate. He has a Master of Social Work Degree from Howard University.