I do not ALWAYS share my opinion -You already have one…I do encourage all to read with an open mind and open heart.
FACTS ABOUT PRISONS AND PRISONERS
The Growing Corrections System
• The number of inmates in state and federal prisons has increased nearly seven-fold from less than 200,000 in 1970 to 1,518,535 by midyear 2007. An additional 780,581 are held in local jails, for a total of 2.3 million.
• Between 2000 and 2006, the state prison population increased by an average annual rate of 1.7%, the federal population by 5.3%, and jail population by 3.6%
• As of 2007, 1 of every 131 Americans was incarcerated in prison or jail.
• The number of persons on probation and parole has been growing dramatically along with institutional populations. There are now 7.3 million Americans incarcerated or on probation or parole, an increase of more than 290 percent since 1980.
• One in ten (10.4%) black males aged 25-29 was in prison or jail in 2007 as were 1 in 28 (3.6%) Hispanic males and 1 in 59 (1.7%) white males in the same age group.
• Nationally, 69 females per 100,000 women are serving a sentence in prison; 957 males per 100,000 men are in prison.
• The 2007 United States’ rate of incarceration of 762 inmates per 100,000 population is the highest reported rate in the world, well ahead of the Russian rate of 635 per 100,000.
Who is in our Prisons and Jails?
• 93% of prison inmates are male, 7% female.
• As of 2007, there were 208,300 women in state and federal prison or local jail.
• 40% of persons in prison or jail in 2006 were black and 20% were Hispanic.
• 62% of jail inmates in 2006 were unconvicted and awaiting trial, compared to 51% in 1990.
• 82% of those sentenced to state prisons in 2004 were convicted of non-violent crimes, including 34% for drug offenses, and 29% for property offenses.
• 1 in 4 jail inmates in 2002 was in jail for a drug offense, compared to 1 in 10 in 1983; drug offenders constituted 20% of state prison inmates and 55% of federal prison inmates in 2001.
• Black males have a 32% chance of serving time in prison at some point in their lives; Hispanic males have a 17% chance; white males have a 6% chance.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics.
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ok I followed you back….:)
Hi,
Please follow me back on Twitter. My Twitter is @RealAntonK (www.twitter.com/RealAntonK).
sorry- will follow back…been sidetracked with finals the last two weeks! thanks for the heads up!!
Trying to get you to followback on Twitter. We are selecting you as a “Rebel with a Cause.” Also, we followed on a different account of mine that is no longer active. I salute the work that you do.
FOR EVERYONE THAT SAYS WE NEED TO STOP GANG VIOLENCE, STOP INCARCERATION RATES, TREAT DRUG ABUSE AS A MENTAL ILLINESS. Here is your chance to do something about TODAY! Don’t just wait for someone else to sign.. YOU SIGN THE PETITION!! 97,000 signatures needed TODAY!
Sign the Petition to Obama to End the failed War on Drugs! There is a better, smarter way. https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/end-war-drugs-and-declare-war-addiction-we-must-treat-disease-what-it-health-crisis/NtRFSLNf
Lawyer told us statute of limitations rules out lawsuit against Maine State Prison. Our son has mental illness and was abused in 2003. They dragged him around by metal cuffs breaking bones in his wrists, he now has permanent damage, Kienbock’s Disease. Statute should not apply when it comes to abuse by state.
Hello, my name is Vanessa-Gabrielle, and I’m so glad to have found you. I’m at a loss for words… My son is serving a life sentence with the posibility of parole. His suitability hearing was held on October 24, 2012. He was told that in all instances; he was found ‘suitable for parole’. But in 2007 he got a tattoo of a Dragon. Therefore it shows that he broke a rule, which could indicate he might break other public rules. He was told he ‘really’ needed to understand that the tattoo was the only reason he was being denied. He was 17 when he went in; he’s 40 now. So, 3 more years, for a tattoo. I don’t know how to help him. But I’m looking for a way. If I could afford to hire an attorney, I would. But I can’t. Anyway, thank you for reading this. It’s refreshing to know there are people like you.
Please see my blog at
http://blog.damiross.net/2012/03/self-help-programs-eliminated-at-valley.html about the elimination of self-help programs at Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, CA
Very inspiring blog. I have often visited, now i am subscribed. Keep up the great work!
First I want to commend you for what you are doing. It’s through the efforts of those who don’t have to, that many others become inspired. My husband is currently serving time in prison. I am appealing his sentence. His journey is documented here: http://walkingintosunlight.tumblr.com/
I also have a petition running for him on our business website: stemartaen.com
His story and the story of so many others is tragic and so unnecessary. I would love to communicate with you on how I can advocate for him and other prisoners and ex-offenders. Thank you for your time.
I am so glad I found your blog. I am a new recruit to the advocacy world against prisoner abuse. I am launching several projects to assist in the flow of information, education and change. First, I too am doing a radio spot on Blog Talk Radio called “Into the light” (blogtalkradio.com/intothelight) Secondly, I am making music slide show presentations that are being posted on You Tube: youtube.com/consciousaction4all, and thirdly I have started a petition to Pres. Obama urging him to intervene on behalf of all US prisoners in peril. http://www.consciousaction.weebly.com/petitions.html and
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-prison-abuse/ Most importantly, I am here to Learn all I can so I can succeed in the quest. Peace and Solidarity.
Sorry to leave an unrelated comment, but I couldn’t find any contact info for you. I’m wondering if you’d be interested in a guest post. Please drop me an e-mail. Thanks!
BRING THE NOISE IN SUPPORT OF THE COURAGEOUS PRISONERS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN PELICAN BAY AND BEYOND!
“What is of note here and something that should concern all U.S. citizens, is the increasing use of behavioral control, i.e. Torture units and human experimental techniques against prisoners, not only in California but across the nation. Indefinite confinement, sensory deprivation, withholding food, constant illumination and use of unsubstantiated lies from informants are the psychological billy clubs being used in these torture units. The purpose of this ‘treatment’ is to stop prisoners from standing in opposition to inhumane prison conditions and prevent them from exercising their basic human rights.” -Statement of Solidarity with the Pelican Bay Collective Hunger Strike on July1st and announcement of participation by Corcoran SHU prisoners
On Friday, July 1, prisoners in California’s infamous Security Housing Unit (SHU) at Pelican Bay State Prison began a courageous and determined hunger strike. This then, very quickly, turned into a display of collective outrage and solidarity among prisoners throughout the state and beyond. More than 500 inmates refused food at Pelican Bay State Prison and that 6,600 prisoners in 13 different prisons participated in the hunger strike on the weekend of July 2-3. This is an extremely significant and extraordinary development, something that challenges people on “the outside” to sit up and take notice. Many have been moved to support the prisoners in their just demands”
The prison authorities are refusing to even negotiate while our brothers are dying!
“The prisoners are progressing rapidly to the organ damaging consequences of dehydration. They are not drinking water and have decompensated rapidly. A few have tried to sip water but are so sick that they are vomiting it back up. Some are in renal failure and have been unable to make urine for 3 days. Some are having measured blood sugars in the 30 range, which can be fatal if not treated.”
March through downtown SF at rush hour. Let the world know that the prisoners are human beings and their demands must be met!
Friday, July 15 5pm
Meet at 5PM at UN Plaza in SF
By Civic Center BART station. Wear an orange jumpsuit if you have one.
I believe in what you’re doing here. The prison system is stupid. It’s a several thousand year old technology that no longer serves the public.
Instead of actually taking a person, analyzing them, helping them to become a productive citizen, and plugging them back into society, the current system puts the person out of sight of the public for an often terribly long and unhelpful time. Then, once the ‘debt to society’ has been paid the person is released, but neither forgiven nor forgotten as their record inhibits them from getting work or living normal lives.
With our advancements in psychology, medicine, behavior therapy, and many other fields, we could easily develop a system to actually help errant citizens should they become violent or detrimental to the community.
Unfortunately, the current prison system is a money making machine. We need this to stop. That money really does need to go into our schools, where smaller classrooms and higher paid (happier) teachers can get on with the business of listening to and teaching our young citizens in an environment that encourages responsible behavior.
I don’t believe violent offenders need to spend 30 years in a system where other violent offenders help them polish up on violent behaviors. I don’t believe in releasing a person who is likely to commit the same offense once they’re out. I don’t believe many of the “offenses” that people are locked up for are protecting me and my family anyways.
People need help. Not time taken away.
But right now I don’t know what to do. I’m willing to write, call, campaign, follow, walk, organize, and support, but I don’t have an organization to get behind. Please help me. Give me the name of an organization that is designed to stop this runaway prison train. Give me the name of a person to call. Give me an email address or a website URL. I’m willing to do what must be done.
We all deserve much, much better than this.
~
Thanks Corey….lets link blogs and I am open to guest bloggers
I love your site and what you are doing. I just got out myself and am trying to continue to the fight from the streets. I have won some writing awards and published rather widely. If you ever need content for your site – please let me know. My blog is at coreyrichardson.blogspot.com.
Maybe we could create links to each other’s site. I got over 900 hits last month.
Take care and keep up the great work.
Check out this Album!
1 black man in the White House and 2.3 million behind bars. This song is off “the A.W.N.I.A.A. Project”- turning music into a movement. With tracks from South Africa all the way to LA and everything in between. This album was based off a letter to Obama written by a prisoner. His powerful words sparked a movement, resulting in the multi award winning independent Short film “Mr. President” which inspired a music album.
you can see at http://www.obamaanswerthis.com
If You Don’t Vote, Don’t Complain! Many mistakenly believe that all persons who have been convicted of a felony have been permanently stripped of their right to vote. Not True! In California, a felony conviction will only bar you from voting if you are currently incarcerated or on parole. See http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sharing-ideas/a-voting-guide-for-inmates.pdf. Other state rules vary. A lot is at stake November 2. Get Out And Vote!
Great blog – just happended on it one day. I administer a blog for a relative in prison. Thought you might enjoy reading it and adding it to your blog roll. http://barsstripes.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
Just wanted to see about getting my Pen Pal website added to your Blog Roll.
I have been thinking about redoing my website to incorporate more articles and information about prison related topics and would love to work with sites such as yourself by adding RSS feeds to me site from yours.
Thanks for the add to the Blog Roll…if you can.
-= Abel =-
its been corrected, thanks for the heads up.. your welcome for the listing!
Hellooo, you have my site WHOOPASS FOR JUSTICE listed on yours, but the URL address is incorrect, what you have is the url to go to my google blog “justice winds”
PLEASE CORRECT URL FOR WHOOPASSFORJUSTICE.ORG
(the present address you have placed is http://justicewinds.blogspot.com….PLEASE CHANGE TO
http://www.whoopassforjustice.org
Many thanks……….knightgale
My thanks to you prisonmovement for your very informative and helpful blog. It is very comforting to see that there are others out there that are trying to help those that “fall through the cracks”. Of society. Keep up the great work, and don’t give up on your great efforts. I can imagine it isn’t easy, but each time you get someone who needs your help, its a step in the right direction. Again, my thanks to you.
Please continue to consult with your lawyer- he should be able to tell you with certainty about procedure and rights; politics will always be in bed with the prison systems of the USA. Sadly our politico’s can be bought, all for a vote and BIG $$$$
I hope someone can help me.
My daughter was sentenced to a year in jail for a DUI but was fortunate to be released with Governor Quinn’s early release program. I completely understand the public’s reaction to violent criminals being released but sometimes you have to give other people a break. She was released in September and has been doing everything right since then. She is going to Alcohol rehab classes and attending AA meetings regularly. She just signed up to return to school, the day before she was picked up again. She tested positive in a random drug test because she took cold medicine. They did not care; they took her back to Dwight. She was able to call after a week and a half of no contact. She said that 170 women were taken in the same day.
I was not familiar with the legal system but since this has happened I have been doing research and talking to people, including a lawyer. What was done was completely, untypical. In the normal scenario, when politics are not involved, your parole officer performs the random drug testing. That is not what happened. A group of people, 2 women and 3 men, were sent to give drug tests to all the early released DUI people. This is very political in IL right now, no one will help because elections are Tuesday. Gov Quinn realized he made a mistake and set up this “task force” to get them all back in jail.
She was staying with my mother. This group of people came into my mother’s home, performed the drug test and took her out in handcuffs. My mother was mortified, she called me immediately and I thought she was going to have a heart attack; she was so upset about how it happened. One of the women told my mother that someone would call her later that day to tell her where they were taking my daughter. We never heard anything. That is one question, shouldn’t she have been allowed one phone call? I finally looked her up the next day, and there she was at Dwight. We were able to reach her “counselor” to at least get information about her. We got in touch with her previous attorney and he is going to try to be there for her Prison Review Board hearing. No one will give us any information; we are not allowed to visit for 2 months. We finally found out how to get a phone call from her and she did call. Her attorney was told her hearing was going to be February 11. My daughter said she got papers that said her hearing will be either February 1 or 4. According to paperwork she was given from the parole officer, she is entitled to have witnesses and an attorney. I was planning on going and so is my other daughter on February 11, now we do not even know when her hearing is. Her attorney called again and was told for sure on Feb 11th but also was told only one family member is allowed to testify. Again, according to her paperwork, she can have witnesses, plural. He was also told she violate parole because took over the counter medicine and that her papers she signed for parole stated she could not take over the counter medicine. I read all her paperwork, there is nothing in there stating anything about over the counter medicine. As you can see there are several things going on here. We are so frustrated here. As I said, she is doing everything she is supposed to be doing and they take her in because of cold medicine. She also told us that she was told her parole officer wrote that she was a danger to the public but in December he called her and said “Between you and me, I was there” and in November he told her he was going to try to get her parole time reduced to 6 months. I think he needs to be investigated too. If she was a danger, what is he doing asking her to lie for him.
Today my mother got a phone call that she is being moved to Decatur and her hearing is cancelled because they will not transport her back to Dwight for the hearing. And no one knows of course when her hearing will be in Decatur. Can someone please tell me if this is a violation of her rights, according to her paperwork, she is entitled to a hearing within 30 days of being picked up.
I think the public should know what is happening behind the scenes with the politicians. Because of them, non violent offenders are being put back in jail, at the expense of the taxpayers. I also think the public should know how these people are being treated. They are being put behind bars, with none of the normal rights of a person being arrested. If anyone else out there is going through the same thing, I would love to hear from you or if anyone can tell me where to go for help for her, please let me know. I don’t know what to do. She is just a normal person and she has never been in any legal trouble in her life. I am so afraid of what may happen to her in prison and all she does is cry when she calls.
I have added to my blog roll! thank you!!
hi — i have a new blog on prison/jail legal issues at prisonlaw.wordpress.com — will link to you and feel free to do the same if you think of interest to your readers.
Thank you so very much. Again, you helped.
Ok here is what I received this morning…I hope this helps…
I don’t know what is meant by ’3rd time’ credits. But SBxxx18 is what was passed by legislature. So, it would be there probably, if something like that was going to happen. SBxxx18 can also be found in the CDCR 2nd population reduction plan. The whole thing is 130 pages, and was submitted to the 3-judge panel on 11/12/09. Go to CDCR and do a search on their website for Population reduction plan November 12 2009…It will come up in a pdf file.
I am checking on this Paula…stay tuned!!
My husband said he is hearing that they are going to start 3rd time credits Jan. 1, 2010 where he is at. How would I find out if that is true?
Your welcome!!
Thank you so very much for the info.
the governor has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and their appeal on the Plata case is on the court docket for Dec 5 & Dec 7. On the 5th, the Republican Legislators are intervenors and will be heard. On the 7th, the Gov’s appeal will be heard.
Do you know when the federal judges are suppose to deal with the prison overcrowding issue?
Have you contacted Tallahassee with your concerns?
HI Carlye-
I just posted the article about the show…I am not a pit bull expert…you might want to call a vet and see how you can best help your dog….
hi my name is carlye an i need your help to get my pit bull back right here wight is not good cause she just had pups
I have a son Gregory S.Harding jr Doc# x61712 He is in a Florida Youthful offender boot camp at Lancaster C.I in Trenton Florida..He has been systematicaly Beaten,By C.O’s at this facility..He is my One and Only Child..I use to be married to a very abusive man,(His) Father..In 2007 I finaly got the courage to leave,Ran to Ga. and went into a DV Shelter..Before leaving i encouraged my son to come with me..But he did not want to uproot and leave his girl friend,and friends.When I left My ex-husband turned his anger and rage towards my son one night over a woman.My son ran away ended up on the streets and he and another boy that use to call me mom decided to rob a pizza man in order to eat..my son acted as a “Lookout” and recived 2yr probation for his part. On july 7th after having NO contact with any Law enforcement..He was violated for a “DIRTY URINE” he smoked a blunt and has to serve 1 year..While NOT minimizing,nor condoning his actions..i’m having a hard time allowing somone with a badge or credential murder my baby like they have Already murdered 14y/o Martin Lee Anderson in Panama city..I REFUSE to me his mother Gina Jones,all she could do is run out of the court room screaming,& crying “This aint Right” when ALL 7 and a nurse were aquitted of murder EVEN tho it was ALL documented on video tape!! What Must I Do?? Do I sit back and allow vthem to KILL my seed? HELL NO!!I myself have documented Mental health issues..I cant sleep,I cant eat cause AllI wanna do is stap on my Bdu’s,and keflar and get in that facility and get to my son’s rescue..Does it have to come 2 that? And why do the higher up’s do Nothing but COVER-UP? The Rasist Co’s have a mase canister that they have nicked named “Black Jesus”!! I’m outraged!! and I need Help..I’ve climed the “chain of command ladder” with No results..PLEASE HELP! Sincerely :”A Loving Mother..
I would love to see a different way of dealing with the people our society has deemed to be too dangerous to live among us (victimless crimes don’t, I believe, deserve any prison time whatsoever), but – what do we do? There has to be a satisfactory way to approach this that helps to heal both the victims, the families of both the victims and the prisoners, and the prisoners themselves. We aren’t a stupid species, and it’s been proven that prison corrupts, it doesn’t punish.
Guess I’ll have to start reading, huh?
Thanks for taking the time to educate.
you can subscribe via rss feed- check under ‘share us with others’….I would love for you to write a guest column..
I am an ex-offender living in Illinois. I noticed you do not have a subscribe gadget button. This button will allow readers to follow your posts by receiving an email notification.
I currently attend NIU in the graduate program of Counseling Adults in Higher Education. One of my career interests will be serving ex-offenders and other undeserved populations.
I author two blogs and have been writing since 2007 online. If I could help in submitting any educational information and also become an contributor writer please let me know.
I presently am working to start an re-entry program for ex-offenders in Dekalb, Ill.
Sincerely,
Robert
I can only speak for myself- I work a full time job 40 + hrs a week-When you ask if I work on prisoner cases, I can answer yes and no. I am not an attorney nor am I a paralegal. Usually what myself and others do is write letters, make phone calls and fax on issues like health care, parole and abuse. I do a lot of research – legal and otherwise. If your looking to go into this area to make money- I can tell you right now- NO. I have NEVER made a penny for any of the work I have done-nor did I ever expect to. I would NEVER take any money from a prisoner or their families….ALL of my time I devote to this cause is strictly voluntary. I am very leery of those in this field who ask for any money- I stay away from them. I have been doing advocate work now for almost 10 years- I have made some really great friends and have run across lots of phoneys. This is a cause that requires thick skin and a tough heart- the changes we seek in the system do not come easy or quickly…..when you champion for reform of the justice/prison system- its a LONG haul with many dissapointments, and heartbreak- One example that I will never get over is the state sanctioned murder of Tookie Williams- we fought so very hard for him…
good luck to you
I’d like to know what you personally do for a living–do you work on prisoner’s cases? As an activist? This subject is my interest as well, and I’m planning to go to law school to get more experience with prisoner rights organizations and legal aid groups, I just wanted some guidance, advice, to hear what others are doing in the field.
Thank you Paula- much appreciated……
I just want to say that I am so very glad that I was told about Prisonmovement’s Weblog. It has helped me in a few different ways since my husband has been incarcerated this time. I have learned alot reading the blogs. I love it.
Hi Erin
OI am assuming your talking about the state of CA? If so- you should read my blog archives. You will get a better understanding of what is going on. We dont know when or if they will start releasing, but they have been ordered to do so……
i need help to find out if they r going to let nonvoilent offenders out.. my husband and the father of four has been in jail now for 2yrs he has never met his son.. he has been moved at least 6 times.. he need help but not prison he is not a bad person he just got into drugs he has 1yrs to go.. i was hoping it would be sooner if anyone can help with this please contact me thanks erin
Hi Millie-
no problem- what would help is knowing what city & state your in…
Hello
I’m sorry I don’t have a comment at this time. I’m trying to help a young man who was in jail and now he is out. I want to find a program where he can learn a trade and find a job. Hoping that perhaps you can suggest where we go from here.
Thank you in advance, appreciating your kindness.
Millie
Hi there,
Just want to say congratulations on an extremely informative blog– I enjoy the daily posts. I publish a blog on prison issues also and plan on adding a link to Prisonmovement. My site is 1in100.wordpress.com– would you consider adding me to your Blogroll? I would also love to exchange emails some time, you can write me at stephensonle [at] gmail [dot] com. Regardless, best of luck to you with the blog, you’ve done a great job.
LS
I want to know how to get in touch with the people who helped the inmates for morgan county alabama with there food and human rights we have a sherriff just like this one our jail has been condemed and they do nothing they feed as little as possible and there is NO HEAT . OUR sherriff has done a good job fighting the war on METH _ But does not need to punish the inmates by starving them to death or frezzing them. He has a so called store they can buy extra food from HIM(the sherriff) if they have money that the inmates family has to give them. OUr town has lost soooo
many jobs its hard enough on the familys around here, without having to pay for our sons , daughters , husbands wives food while they are in jail, but we can’t let them starve either. When we (the families not in jail) eat or drink we think of our faimily member that is in jail and its hard for us to let them go without when you visit them and they tell you they are hungry!!!!!!!!!!!