by YaVonne M. T. Anderson
Quiet as kept, prison is not for rehabilitation. It serves its purpose as far as punishment goes, yet was codesigned for mental damnation. The essence of who we are, if we have ever found ourselves, we are raped by authority. If you’ve never appreciated what you once had, being here you will, assuredly. We’re forbidden to express emotions of happiness because we are suspected of being inebriated. Should we dare show emotions of anger, it is then “security risk” related. In the event that we are saddened, mental health is recommended. Yet if we appear as nonchalant, we’re unremorseful and too independent. Ironically, this is the place we’ve been sentenced to to learn some sort of lesson. But while putting into action the act of change, it is deemed an act of transgression. Although change must come from within, and may not occur if it is forced, The conditions that we are subjected to make it all the more tough a course. If you don’t find yourself worse off then you were before coming to this place, You’ve mastered defeating the true purpose of prisons through God’s good will and grace. I’m a better person not because of prison, yet because of what I have done for me. They merely provided the tools for me to muster up strength and courage to succeed. So am I rehabilitated? Yes, I’ll admit, but I did all of the footwork on my own. And whether I’m released soon for it, or not, in my heart I’ve been on the road that leads to home.
10.17.03
Category: Issue 26 – Winter 2003-04
The John W. Perry Fund, a project of the DRC Net Foundation in association with Students for Sensible Drug Policy, provides college scholarships to students losing federal financial aid because of drug convictions. The Fund has money for 2004-05 school years. Eligible students are urged to apply as soon as possible.
Please visit their website (http://www.raise yourvoice.com/perryfund/) or call DRCNet at (202) 362-0030 for further information.
We are thrilled to introduce Patricia Chase to our readers. Patricia was born and raised in Peru and lived in Mexico for 11 years. She has a tremendous amount of volunteer coordination experience behind her. She comes to us because of a lifetime of dedication to struggling against injustice, poverty and discrimination, both in Peru and in the United States. In particular, she has worked with women on the border between the U.S. and Mexico who work under the most brutal sweatshop conditions. Patricia believes that the struggle for the rights of women prisoners is part of the same struggle that she has participated in throughout her life. She hopes to build different networks in support of women prisoners. She wants to make sure that the issue of women behind bars is as visible as possible. She also intends to coordinate the work of CCWP with the work of others who are working for prisoners’ rights.
Patricia will be working half time for CCWP. She can be reached at the office.
Queremos introducir a Patricia Chase ante nuestros/as lectores/as. Patricia nació y creció en Perú y también vivió en México por 11 años. Ella tiene una gran experiencia en la coordinación de trabajo con voluntarios. Ella viene de una larga historia de lucha contra la injusticia, la pobreza y todas las formas de discfrimanacion, tanto en Perú, México como en Estados Unidos. En particular entre los trabajos que ella a hecho este el haber trabajado con las mujeres de las maquiladoras en la frontera norte México-Estados Unidos, quienes son unas de las que más sufren las brutales condiciones de explotación y maltrato. Patricia cree que la lucha por los derechos de las mujeres en la cárcel es parte de la misma lucha que ella ha tenido a lo largo de su historia. Ella espera constribuir a la construcción y fortalecimiento de una red de apoyo para las mujeres que estan presas. Ella quiere asegurar que la lucha de las mujeres en la cárcel se haga cada vez mas visible así como possible. Ella también visiona coordinar el trabajo de CCWP con el trabajo de otras organizaciones que estan en la lucha por los derechos humanos de los presos/as.
Patricia estará trabajando medio tiempo para CCWP, pueden localizar a ella en la oficina.
by Andrea Bible and Diana Block
On October 12, 2003, nearly 200 community members joined Free Battered Women for the second annual “Our Voices Within” event – an inspiring afternoon celebrating the release of three survivors of domestic violence from prison and supporting the healing of their sisters inside.
Survivors Marva Wallace, Susan Deering, and Cheryl Sellers each shared their amazing journeys to freedom. Marva Wallace was the first woman to be released through the help of the Habeas Project* after serving 17 years of her sentence. Susan Deering was also released through the Habeas Project after serving 22 years in prison and Cheryl Sellers is one of the very few people to be paroled by Governor Davis. Former prisoner Gloria Killian who was released in 2002 when her conviction was overturned was also present and reflected on the many forms of injustice which women prisoners face.
African Canadian lesbian singer-songwriter Faith Nolan roused the crowd with songs of social justice and her humor. The all-woman, multi-racial dance collective Dancers Without Borders amazed everyone with their compelling performance, which reflected both the anguish and the strength of women who survive.
Friends and family members read poetry from women inside, and the audience bid on the remarkable artwork of incarcerated women in a silent auction. During the open mike time, family members and friends shared their feelings about the impact of their loved one’s incarceration on their lives. All together the event raised $2,900 for the work of Free Battered Women!
The people attending were clearly moved by the strength and talents of currently and formerly incarcerated survivors and they committed to carry on the work to gain the release of those who remain inside.
Commemorative books of survivors’ writing and artwork created for the event are available for $15 by contacting Free Battered Women. Free Battered Women is always looking for artwork, poetry and testimony for our website and next year’s Our Voices Within.
*The Habeas Project was established by a coalition of groups, including Free Battered Women, to assist battered women in California state prisons to seek retrials or reduced sentences under Penal Code 1473.5 effective January 1, 2002.