Dr. Tapia discuss her duties as a Warden at Cook County jail where she was the first Psychologist to take over this role. We also discuss the school to prison pipeline as well as challenges of individuals returning to life after prison.

Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia is the Managing Director for Justice
Initiatives at Chicago Beyond. She is an experienced psychologist
who is passionate about mental wellness, criminal justice reform,
and supporting young people who have experienced trauma. Since
joining Chicago Beyond in 2018, Dr. Tapia collaborated to launch
programs focused on positive family engagement for families who
are justice-involved, holistic healing supports within Chicago Public
Schools and peer-led healing supports for youth. She is the former
warden of Cook County jail in Chicago, Illinois - one of the largest single site jails in the country
Under her leadership, Cook County jail implemented several bold strategies to promote wellness
and to reduce recidivism, including the Mental Health Transition Center, a program that has helped
hundreds of people who have been incarcerated to successfully reenter their families and communities.