CANTON -- The Social Justice Initiative of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton is hosting the Justice for All Poetry Slam on Friday, Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 1/2 E. Main St.

This event is free and open to the public.

An opening reception for the weekend conference will follow the Poetry Slam.

Poems for the Poetry Slam have been submitted by local community poets, as well as by writers who are currently incarcerated.

All of the poems deal with some aspect of the impact of incarceration on individuals, our families, and our communities.

Accepted community poets will be in attendance to read their poems. For incarcerated writers, a performer will be provided to read their poems.

Teresa Veramendi, Social Justice Coordinator, will be emceeing the event. Selected members of the community will judge the poems.

First and second place winners will receive cash prizes. Only poetry submitted and accepted by the Social Justice Initiative may be performed.

R. Dwayne Betts, recognized poet, lawyer, and keynote speaker for this Justice for All Conference will also share some poems from his new book, “Felon,” released this month by W.W. Norton. Copies of his book will be available for sale at the Poetry Slam.

The Justice for All Poetry Slam is the opening event of the “Justice for All” Social Justice Initiative being held from Oct. 18-20 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton.

All weekend events are free and open to the public, although prior registration is required for participation in the sessions on Saturday including lunch.

For more information about registering and participating in “Justice for All: Community Conversations on Crime and Imprisonment in the North Country,” visit www.uucantonny.org.