CANTON -- Registration is now open for the upcoming event, “Justice for All: Community Conversations on Crime and Imprisonment in the North Country.” This conference will be held October 18-20 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton, as part of their Social Justice Initiative. The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required for the Saturday events, including lunch. Online registration is at www.uucantonny.org

The Justice for All weekend kicks off on Friday evening, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., with the “Speaking for Myself” Poetry Slam. The Slam features original poems written by local writers and by writers who are incarcerated on the impact of incarceration on individuals, families, and communities. The Keynote Speaker for “Justice for All,” R. Dwayne Betts, will also be in attendance, and he will be sharing some of his new poems. The public is invited to come and hear the work of these writers. An Opening Reception will follow the Slam.

Then on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 9:30 am, Betts will deliver his keynote address “Falling Asleep in Your Own Narrative: Violence, Incarceration & Reform.” He served nine years in prison as a young adult. He is now a poet, a lawyer and the author of his memoir, “A Question of Freedom: Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison,” as well as his new book of poetry, “Felon.” Both of these books will be available at a discounted price during the weekend, and the author will be available to sign them.

The remainder of the day includes a series of conversations on a range of criminal justice topics, each session lead by individuals in the community with expertise in the topic: (1) Roots of Incarceration, (2) Administration of Justice, (3) Life on the Inside, (4) Alternatives to Incarceration, and (5) Returning to Life on the Outside. Details on the program and conversation leaders can be found at: http://www.uucantonny.org/social-justice/social-justice-initiative/2019-social-justice-initiative/

“The primary purpose of the Social Justice Initiative is to help build working relationships with others in our community and region. The final event of the day will be our Conversation Circles, designed to help those in attendance form partnerships and action teams going forward,” the UU Church said in a news release.

On Sunday, October 20, at 10:30 a.m., the conference weekend will come to a close with a worship service on the topic of “Justice for All.” The sermon will be delivered by Dr. Margaret Kent Bass who formerly worked at SLU, and who is now living in Vermont, working with their criminal justice reform initiatives. During her sermon, she will share her path to this work.

The public may attend as much of the conference as possible.

“The weekend promises to be full of rich and important conversations on these critical topics,” the church said.

This free “Justice for All” weekend is underwritten by generous grants from the Siskind-Moe family, The New York State Convention of Universalists, and the Unitarian Universalist Fund for Social Responsibility.