"Incarceration is a tool of reproductive suppression. And the only way around that is abolition."
Aminah Elster, CCWP
CCWP supporting incarcerated people on reproductive injustices for years!
With the exposure of violence and harm of the forced sterilizations that came to light in 2013, CCWP has been active in getting justice for survivors in the form of compensation and memorialization. With survivors inside and outside of prison, a working group was created to ensure that survivors were not only aware that there was a compensation program but that they had support throughout the application process to make sure survivors received the compensation! Because of the efforts of the working group centered on reproductive justice and abolition, CCWP has been working on other projects and areas that address the violent ways that reproductive oppression and removal of reproductive autonomy happens inside prisons.
Are you interested in getting involved in CCWP's work on reproductive injustice?
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Sexual Violence is a Reproductive Justice Issue!
In February 2025, CCWP helped launch a class action lawsuit against horrific violent OBGYN abuse at the California Institution for Women (CIW). This lawsuit is one of several civil cases filed within the past few years over correctional abuse and violence against incarcerated people inside California’s prisons. CCWP is dedicated to supporting survivors of violence and abuse and is currently supporting the efforts of this ongoing lawsuit.
To read the full history of Reproductive Justice click the button on the right ->
“Know Your Rights” Reproductive Healthcare Inside Prisons
From supporting survivors inside and outside of prison on getting compensated for being forcibly sterilized by the state, there was a direct need by incarcerated people inside that there needs to be more resources and education on people’s reproductive and medical rights while inside prison. Because of that response, a small group of advocates, researchers, as well as incarcerated people worked together to create a “Know Your Rights” Reproductive Healthcare Inside Prisons booklet that is directed at providing educational and advocacy tools for people inside prisons around reproductive and medical care.
The booklet provides detailed peer reviewed medical information on common reproductive and gynecological health issues that incarcerated people experience inside who don’t have access to gaining information on, legal law and policies around incarcerated people’s rights as patients, as well as resources for incarcerated people and their loved ones outside supporting them.
This booklet is still being finalized but will be made available through CCWP’s website by the end of 2025 to purchase. Buying a booklet covers the printing and shipping costs as well as provides a FREE copy to an incarcerated person.
CCWP is offering FREE copies to incarcerated people inside California women’s facilities. If you are connected with someone inside who wants a FREE copy, please fill out this form.
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Check out our syllabus to learn more about these issues.
Quilt Honoring Survivors of Forced Sterilization while Incarcerated
Are you interested in hosting a Together We Rise, Together We Heal quilt exhibition honoring survivors of forced sterilizations?
Check out the Together We Rise, Together We Heal page if you and/or your organization are interested in exhibiting the quilts for an event.
Prison Medical Record Request Guide
