Andrew Falk
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Abstract
Andrew Falk is a Senior Fellow with the Sagamore Institute, with a research focus on criminal justice reform and international environmental and energy law. Andrew’s initial project upon joining the Sagamore Institute was to lead a team working to research and draft reports analyzing Indiana’s criminal justice reforms (HEA 1006). Andrew and the team provided annual reports to then-Governor Mike Pence, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, and the General Assembly. To gather the needed information, Andrew met with numerous elected officials, key stakeholders, non-profit leaders, and media to discuss research and findings.
In the process of his research on the effect of 1006, Andrew visited the Indiana Women’s Prison to learn more about the volunteer higher education program at the prison. He soon began teaching a public policy class at the prison on the collateral consequences of a felony conviction. Informed both by his 1006 research and the evident need for more effective reentry practices, Andrew began working with a group of women who proposed an innovative approach to reentry. Andrew continues to teach the public policy class at the prison, but his primary focus is serving as the Executive Director of the reentry project, now known as Constructing Our Future. In this role, Andrew collaborates with state officials, non-profit organizations, churches, businesses, and volunteers to develop this unique program to facilitate reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals and to reduce recidivism.
In his limited spare time, Andrew continues his research and writing on environmental and energy issues, such as the promise of solar energy in Africa and the benefits of secure property rights to protect the environment.
Andrew was born and raised in the Midwest, living in Iowa and Kansas before moving to Indiana. He now lives in Indianapolis with his wife and four children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and managing his fantasy football teams.
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. What is justice? What is mercy?
2. Why should Christians care about justice and mercy in our criminal justice system?
3. What duty do Christians (and society as a whole) have to those who have committed offenses, gone to prison, and are no re-entering society?