Any sane human being should be absolutely terrified of our prison system. However, I think the average person has no concept of how disgusting, dehumanizing, and desperate conditions are there. I would say that about 60% of our letters relate to untreated or mistreated medical issues: people with cancer, Crohn’s Disease, or serious mental illness who are getting infrequent, appalling care (or more likely, none at all). Then there’s the physical abuse and retaliation for reporting it, not to mention blatant religious oppression. Many of these places have further instituted “postcard only” rules for mail, so they can’t receive letters or communicate in any meaningful way with the outside world. Our handbook has been banned. These civil rights issues don’t even touch on the things that got people into prison in the first place–we can’t help at all with criminal matters, or three strikes laws, or outrageous sentencing.

I have spoken of these things to people I find eminently reasonable and otherwise passionate about human rights and the first question I hear is, “Well, what are they in for?” As if it matters.

Prisoners’ rights is just one of the things I would consider pursuing, but my work with PLP has convinced me that by the time these people are in prison, it’s mostly too late.

@ Sara
Thank you!

I am increasingly inclined to believe that American society has become a “carceral state” — the thing that keeps us all in line is fear of falling into the hell that our vast prison archipelago has become. People who support marriage equality and advocate single-payer health care think nothing of joking about prison rape as if it’s a reasonable thing. Our descendants will find us loathsome. You’re doing a very, very important thing.

Any game recommendations from your game nights?