The following piece was written by Kempis “Ghani” Songster as a speech he planned to deliver to the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. Only select speakers are allowed two minutes to share their words before the permanent forum, and Ghani was ultimately not allowed the time to share this speech in …
A Call to the United Nations to Abolish Death by Incarceration Read More »
A Letter to the United Nations In an effort to secure international support for the movement to end Death by Incarceration (DBI) sentences in the United States, the Abolitionist Law Center, Amistad Law Project, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Drop LWOP Coalition, and the California Coalition of Women Prisoners collaborated with the University of …
April is Second Chances Month, and while the state paints “victims” in opposition to second chances for people in prison, a growing network of people identifying as “dual victims” are exposing the lie behind this narrative. Dual victims are people who have lost loved ones to interpersonal violence and mass incarceration. Their lived experiences demonstrate …
“Second Chances Don’t Diminish Justice, But Fulfill It” Read More »
We talked to three survivors of violent crime—Movita Johnson-Harrell, Antoinette Kreiselmeier and Jean Mayes—about what they need to heal.
The following piece is written by David “Dawud” Lee, who is currently serving a Death by Incarceration sentence for a crime he did not commit. Dawud is a co-founder of the Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration (CADBI), a co-author of the recently released book WEology: Transformative Justice in Practice, and an incredible mentor to countless …
This past week we hosted a panel highlighting the voices of survivors, both of street violence and to prisons. We were joined by a few powerful women: Antoinette Kreiselmeier is a justice reform advocate. Movita Johnson Harrell is a retired PA State Rep and former Chief of Victim Services and Restorative Justice at the Philadelphia …
Survivor Stories: Testimonies of Triumph and Tragedy Read More »
Grassroots Coalition Calls on City to Release Loved Ones from Philadelphia Jails Immediately This year, the Christmas season was tainted with blood on the hands of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP). By the time of this article, 18 people had died in Philadelphia jails since the beginning of the year. Four of them died …
Pittsburgh residents are showing their desire to dismantle mass incarceration. A recent referendum banned solitary confinement in the Allegheny County Jail. Chemical and militaristic weapons were also banned at the jail. All in the last year. Now, demand is rising to decarcerate our prisons and bring home our elders.
Over the last year we grew. We listened. We organized. And we fought and won. And now we need your help to keep the momentum going.
This bill has been introduced in the Senate but is not law. We at Straight Ahead want to see the bill become law, as it would allow the possibility for parole for many older and sick people in prisons, including those who might not be covered by other reform bills. This was written and last …
Unpacking SB 835: Who has a chance at freedom from medical and geriatric parole? Read More »