2025 Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival: Reconciliation

Despite making up 5% of the global population, the US has more than 20% of the world’s prison population. The country also spends over $80 billion on incarceration each year. But what about life after incarceration? Does society believe that someone who has spent time in prison deserves the chance to be fully re-integrated into society and given the opportunity to work and thrive? What are the barriers? Can more be done to aid in their success? Join us for the next Sound of Ideas Community Tour as we discuss the realities facing the formerly incarcerated as they re-enter society. 

Jenny Hamel, host

PANELISTS
Monika Gordon, Culinary Degree Program Participant, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Mike Jones, Justice Housing Strategist, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless 
Stephanie DeVincent, Program Administrator, North Star Neighborhood Reentry Center

This tour stop is a part of The Cleveland Orchestra's 2025 Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival: Reconciliation. Learn more about this year's festivities.