January - 2019

"Mass Incarceration Affects us All"

Our committee is a proud member of the Virginia Prison Justice Network and a sponsor of VAPOC (Virginia Prisoner of Conscience).

Listen to the audio blog and take action! Audio posts are by VAPOC members. Blog posts are written by prisoners in Virginia.

Every day we get letters from prisoners. We advocate for their human rights, provide information and address their grievances. If you'd like to help, let us know! Contact

Sentencing Reform

On January 1, 1995 Virginia abolished parole leaving individuals to serve 85% of their sentences, earning little or no good time credit to be released back into their community. August 11, 1995 I was arrested at the age of 18. I was sentenced to 35 years. I have dedicated myself to, at least, reform and rehabilitate my life. The task hasn't been easy. I've made a lot of mistakes while in prison but I've never stopped striving to better myself as a person. While incarcera

On Recidivism

They say that Virginia has the lowest recidivism rate. I suppose so being that they don't want to let people out of the cinder blocks! The sad thing about it all, is that the ones they do choose to release are the recidivists! What about the rest of us? Those of us that would return to society better and would be citizens in good standing? What happened to our chance? Would it be because they know that they could no longer receive the funds to hold us as "wards" of the sta

Bring Back Parole in 2019

"Rehabilitate" is defined as being restored to a former capacity, rank, right, or health, but being redeemable is more in line with the goal of incarceration as it describes the aim to recover or rescue by paying a price. The price that a felon has to pay is the debt to society. Now one must consider not only the mind state at the time of the act that led to prison, but also the circumstances. According to members in the science community, the male mind doesn't fully mature u

Reinstate Parole for Real Prison Reform

Regarding prison reform, if there will be no chance of re-instating parole, then there must be a way for the incarcerated to earn more "good-time" credit especially if they demonstrate rehabilitative skills and have a positive institutional adjustment. Also, sentencing is biased on the financial stability and sometimes education of an offender. Offenders with deeper pockets that could afford attorneys are sentenced to lesser sentences for the same crimes that those without pa

Federal Prison Reform and the State

Recently Congress passed a prison reform bill attacking harsh sentences in a bipartisan effort to address injustices within the system which have resulted in mass incarceration. Many people are under the impression that this also applies to the states. What must be understood is that this is only for the Federal Prison System. In order for any type of prison reform to take place in Virginia, the General Assembly has to pass it through legislation first. I have had to explain

Our committee logo was designed by Kareem Carr, an inmate at Greensville Correctional Center.

The Coalition for Justice is a founding member of the Virginia Prison Justice Network (VAPJN) and a sponsor for VAPOC.

VAPJN is a network of organizations around the state who work for change in the prison system by seeking solutions to the judicial racism that plagues our criminal justice system and by also providing a platform for prisoners to be heard. For more information on VAPJN, go here.

VAPOC, a prisoner led organization of prisoners and supporters, who seek to end mass incarceration in Virginia by promoting awareness among the incarcerated and those in society by enlightening them in the fields of Prison Justice, Law, Politics, and Community Rebuilding/Reentry, thereby motivating them to become more involved in the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. For more information on VAPOC go here.

The CFJ Prison Justice Committee believes that our current retributive justice system focuses on punishment, blame and isolation. Restorative justice focuses on healing and rehabilitation with an understanding that race and class are major factors in mass incarceration. By allowing prisoners to take responsibility for their actions, they can not only repair harm but can learn how to make responsible choices and prevent future harm. We need more dialogue, community support, inclusion and involvement. We do not excuse criminal behavior by any means. We believe in accountability but we see the need to treat prisoners with respect and allow them their human rights. Only then, can they truly successfully reintegrate into the larger community. Our steering committee: Margaret Breslau, Jennifer Deegan, Kay Kay Goette, Askari Danso, Chanell Burnette, Hassan Shabbaz.

We must all look in our communities and campuses to see the invisible hands that connect us -- from the prison made furniture at VT, to reintegrating prisoners back into our community in just and responsible ways.

Get involved.

Read the blog. Learn more.

Coalition

for Justice

est. Blacksbug

Virginia, 1981

"Mass Incarceration Affects us All"

Listen to the audio blog and take action! Audio posts are by VAPOC members. Blog posts are written by prisoners in Virginia.

Sentencing Reform

On Recidivism

Bring Back Parole in 2019

Reinstate Parole for Real Prison Reform

Federal Prison Reform and the State

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Coalition

for Justice

est. Blacksbug

Virginia, 1981

"Mass Incarceration Affects us All"

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Listen to the audio blog and take action! Audio posts are by VAPOC members. Blog posts are written by prisoners in Virginia.

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