The Vision
Spring 2003

In This Issue:

Home
AFSC Sniper Statement
Students Envision a Gentler World
Legislative Update
AFSC and ICOPA
Illinois and Maryland
Set the Stage
New Strides in Death Penalty Movement
Lyrics on Lockdown
Prisoners' Families
Organize
Beyond Rodney King
Education Not Incarceration
Prisoners' Voices
War on Terrorism Relies on Criminal Justice System
Resources
From the National Representative's Desk
Regional Updates
Staff

 

 

PRISONERS' FAMILIES ORGANIZE

Human Rights Coalition, Nationwide

Human Rights Coalition Poster
Photo: AFSC

A segment of the population that is directly affected by the current penal system is often left out of the equation, and that is prisoners' families. The Human Rights Coalition (HRC) is an organization that seeks to remedy that problem.

HRC was started a year ago in Philadelphia by currently incarcerated individuals and their family members, and since then has grown tremendously. The Philadelphia chapter has sponsored potlucks, video showings, and informational sessions, and has participated in a number of conferences. There are also HRC chapters beginning in Texas and California.

The basic premise of HRC's organizing is simple: that prisoners' families are rarely talked about as victims in criminal proceedings. They are thrust into a situation where they have to deal with a judicial system that is often alienating and hostile toward them. After their loved one is incarcerated, they are subject to a variety of hardships: the emotional trauma of the situation, the financial drain of supporting a prisoner, the trek to prisons that are often far away, rude treatment from guards and prison administration, feelings of isolation and voicelessness.

HRC seeks to bring these situations to light and to let prisoners' families know they are not alone, that they are in fact part of a growing mass of people. HRC also seeks to fundamentally change the prison system, to shift from a punitive to a rehabilitative model that allows these families' loved ones to come out of the experience with dignity and options.

Lastly, HRC allows prisoners' families, ex-prisoners, and current prisoners (those most affected by the prison system) to lead the movement against prison growth. All too often it is professional activists and organizers who are spokespeople for the movement, while those who are on the front lines (generally poor people and people of color) are marginalized and disenfranchised. HRC wants to empower prisoners' family members to take the power back, and to use it to help themselves and their loved ones.


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