Our committee logo was designed by incarcerated artist Kareem Carr/
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.
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 believe in reducing the role of criminal law and creating alternatives to punishment and imprisonment with a focus on rehabilitation. 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 committee works for the survival of the incarcerated and advocates for the human rights of prisoners. We are prisoner-led and directly work with hundreds of prisoners throughout the state.
Our steering committee consists of Margaret Breslau, Jennifer Deegan, Kay Kay Goette, Askari Danso, Chanell Burnette, and Hassan Shabbaz.
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