Think About It:
Successful advocacy requires ALL parties to the problem come to the table or there will be no resolution.
What would be necessary to make this happen?
AMONG THE RESOURCES RESEARCHED, DRAFTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE ADVOCACY IN ACTION COALITION (AIAC) TASK FORCE:
AIAC “White Paper” A Resource for Active Advocacy
AIAC-Fact Sheet CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
AIAC-FactSheet MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
A simple approach to understanding human rights and how it links to advocacy
AIAC Digital Toolkit: Taking Steps to Help Yourself
The AIAC Task Force is committed to providing resources giving validity and credibility to the criminal justice reform issues the Coalition as a whole supports. The resulting research and documentation is posted publicly to be available to use as talking points when advocating with legislators and criminal justice officials.
AIAC TASK FORCE MEMBERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING ADVOCACY RESOURCES:
Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson – AIAC Chair
Kayla Victor – IPF Conference Chair
Barbara Allan
Allegra Pocinki
Rita Dixit-Kubiak
Dr. Amanda Lewis
James (Jim) Prager
Dr. Monique Tate
Julie Uribe
Vetta Dunston
Tiffany Green
BACKGROUND:
On Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the 7th annual InterNational Prisoner’s Family Conference, over seventy individuals and representatives of established prison family related organizations signed in agreement to become members of the Advocacy in Action Coalition (AIAC) of the InterNational Prisoner’s Family Conference, to pursue criminal justice and prison reforms for issues known to fuel mass incarceration in the United States. Subsequently, Coalition membership has continued to grow. (Listing of current full Coalition membership is below.)
The following five major issues of concern were selected for active research for needed remedial action:
- Ensuring the availability of jail and prison face-to-face visitation
- Ensuring family involvement in issues of medical and mental health care for prisoners following HIPPA guidelines
- Ensuring independent oversight of the entire criminal justice system
- Ensuring humane treatment of all prisoners and their families
- Ensuring effective re-entry preparation for all prisoners and their families
Over the ensuing years, since AIAC was established, the Task Force has reviewed and elected to lend the name of the Coalition in support of prisoners and prison family members in matters related to medical and mental health; excessive and/or unjust sentencing; potential innocence of incarcerated individuals; elimination of face-to-face visitation and any inhumane treatment of incarcerated persons and prison family members. AIAC recognizes and acknowledges there is a toxicity in prison environments that impacts all persons working or residing in that environment. As such, the coalition seeks opportunities to build cooperative and mutually supportive relations to improve the environment for all persons affected by incarceration personally and/or professionally.
ABOUT THE ADVOCACY IN ACTION COALITION TASK FORCE
A working Advocacy in Action Committee, Chaired by Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson was formed to begin research and draft a Coalition White Paper. The completed White Paper was released on October 21, 2015 calling for significant reforms in the entire U.S. criminal justice system. To view a copy of the White Paper, click here.
The coalition task force continues drafting Fact Sheets for use in advocacy and has raised funds to produce the Faces of Mass Incarceration documentary. The documentary is available to enhance presentations and discussion on criminal justice reform by eliminating frightening myths and stereotypes about the prisoner and their loved ones.
The task force is considering developing a series of webinars to provide advocacy tools and prepare members for active advocacy.
FULL COALITION MEMBERSHIP *
Lillie Branch-Kennedy – RIHD Inc. – Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised
LuQman Abdullah – Human Rights Coalition, Philadelphia – Pennsylvania
Chandra Adams – COPE; Called to Change – Texas
Annette Aguigui – Georgia
Ed Aguigui – Georgia
Jolynn Armstrong – The FOTA Project – Colorado
Cathy Anderson – Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership – Maryland
Maribel Herrera Aitkins – California Families Against Solitary Confinement
Barbara Allan – Prison Families Anonymous – New York
Cindy Anderson – Washington Coalition for Parole
Jess Angel, Certified Trauma Support Specialist- Alaska
K. Bain – Bain Consulting – New York
Edgar Barens – The Prison Terminal – Illinois
Keri Barker – Gift of Voice – Illinois
Olivia Barclay – Florida
Joyce Betts – Families in Crisis – Connecticut
Jeanette Bocanegra – Justice for Families – New York
Kate Boccia – The National Incarceration Association – Georgia
Natasha Brien – Canada
Judith Brink – Prison Action Network – New York
Ivi Brown – Texas
Jackalyn Brown – Flip Flop Support Groups, Inc. – Florida
Belinda Bruster – Florida
Jenna Bundy – Illinois
Darlene Burke – Ten Toes In – California
Allison Butler – Prison Break Coaching – Delaware
Jenelle Butler – Arizona
Deborah Munson Cardenas – Texas
Dena Castellon – Georgia
Dr. Ruth Clark – Florida
Rosanne Clausen – Strong Prison Wives – New Jersey
Debbie Collins – Georgia
Rhonda Courtney – Grassroots Guardians of Truth – Georgia
Cindy Cristan – California
Julie Crithfield – California
Ed Davis – Episcopal Diocese of Texas – Texas
Arkueria Davis – Parent Caregiver Advisory Group – California
Cedrick Dean – The Securus Foundation – North Carolina
Kelsey Lynn DeAvila – Jails Action Coalition – New York City
Franklin Deese – North Carolina
Esther DeLeon – California
Armando DePina – Parent Caregiver Advisory Group – California
Ciede Diamondstone – Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership – Maryland
Celeste Didlick-Davis – 3R Development, Inc. – Ohio
Sonda Donovan – Colorado
Alexandria Dorsey – Arizona
Ann Edenfield Sweet – Wings For LIFE International – New Mexico
Kirstin Eidenbach – ATLaS Justice Center – Arizona
Carolyn Esparza – Prisoners’ Family Conference, Chair – Texas
Christina Faurot – Alabama
Sherrin Fitzer – Illinois
Felicia Ford – Leap of Faith Advocacy and Legal Services – California
Katelen Fortunati – Chestnut Health Systems – Missouri
Brenda Fosdick – Illinois
Jacquelyn Frank – Illinois
Braunwynn Franklin – NAMI Multnomah – Washington
Dawn Freeman – The Securus Foundation – National Organization Headquartered in Texas
Quniana Futrell – Healing Generations International – Virginia
Kerry Gant – New York
Lisa Gentley – Strong Prison Wives & Families – Connecticut
Stacey George – Strong Prison Wives & Families – Texas
Elizabeth Gillette – Girls Embracing Mothers – Texas
Rebecca Ginsburg – Education Justice Project – Illinois
Sandra Girard – Citizens for Prison Reform – Michigan
Diane Goodman – California
Liz Gordon – Pillars, Inc. – New Zealand
Heidi Graham – Idaho
Truth Graff – National Incarceration Association – Georgia
Jordan Gramke – ATLaS Justice Center – Arizona
Dominique Graves – Texas
Shameka Green – Emma’s House, Inc. – Michigan & Nevada
Connie Grier – The Respect Alliance – Pennsylvania
Becky Haigler – Texas-VoGue voter guide for justice & reform advocates…www.texas-vogue.com and TIFA member – Texas
Angela Hall – S.O.L.O.G. – Alaska/Arizona
Patti Hammonds – Prison Fellowship – Texas
Berkley Harbin – Texas
Ivy Harris – Parent Caregiver Advisory Group – California
Lyndsey Harris – United Kingdom
Avon Hart-Johnson, PhD – DC Project Connect – Washington, DC
Radiyyah Hasaan – Families in Crisis, Inc. – Connecticut
Candy Hendrix – Wyoming
Alicia Hernandez – The RIDGE Project – Ohio
Randy Hibbard – Georgia
Ray Hill – Founder, Host/Producer: The Prison Show – Texas (dec. 2018)
Thomas Ann Hines – Crime Victim Impact Program – Texas
Tonya Lee Hines – Georgia
Neela Hoeppner – Texas
Carol Holitz-Martin – Illinois
Julie Matte – Louisiana
Roger Hollar – Mercy Heart – Texas
Fred Hollis – Our Daily Bread – Michigan
Lee Anna Howell – PCAG – ACCIPP – California
Katherin Hervey – The Prison Within – Washington
Morgan Holladay – Compassion Works for All – Arkansas
Tonyita Hopkins – The Securus Foundation – Texas
Tracy L. Wells-Huggins, RN – Justice for Families – New Jersey
Melinda Hull – Strong Prison Wives & Families – Washington
Catherine Janese – Strong Prison Wives and Families – New York
Angel Jenkins – Georgia
Alicia Johnson – Georgia
Monalisa Johnson – Parents with Incarcerated Children – New York
Lauren Johnson – Texas
Charles Jordan – The RIDGE Project – Ohio
Marvin Jordan – PCAG – A Better Way – California
Sandra Joy – Campaign to End the Death Penalty – Delaware
Spring Keosoupha – A Better Way – California
Rita Kerwin – Citizens for Prison Reform – Michigan
Linda King – Prison Families Anonymous – New York
Mari Kita – Hawaii
Stacey Kobetitsch, MBA, MSOL – Hallinan & Killpack Law Firm – Arizona
Sara Kruzan – Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network – California
Melissa Kumar – Families in Crisis, Inc. – Connecticut
Terry Kupers – California
Karen Lakeman – New Mexico
Julia Lazareck – Prison: The Hidden Sentence & Friends & Families of Incarcerated Persons – Nevada
Pete Letkemann – Citizens for Prison Reform – Michigan
Barbara Lee Lewis – Because Love Allows – New Jersey
Nancy Loucks – Families Outside – Scotland
Lydia Lozano – A Better Way – California
Michelle Manley – Florida
Joseph Mathew – Corrections India – India
Jennifer McClendon – McClendon Recovery Initiatives – New Jersey
Verna McFelin – Pillars, Inc. – New Zealand
Mindy Minor – Girls Embracing Mothers – TX
Heather Moore – Michigan
Michelle Moore – Arkansas
Zamia Mosman – Bridges Prison Ministry/Victory Worship Center – Arizona
Gale Muhammad – Women Who Never Give Up – New Jersey
Marilyn Nickerson – Texas
Charlene Niemi – California
Kathy Norgard – Colorado
Jeani Olson – Wyoming
Nikki Olson – Justice For Families – Wisconsin
Ariel Orozco – California Families Against Solitary Confinement
Andy Polk – Felonism: Hurting in Plain Sight – Tennessee
Linda Polk – Felonism: Hurting in Plain Sight – Tennessee
Dr. Robert Powitzky – Justice and Serious Mental Illness – Texas
James Prager – Re-entry Coalition of NW Ohio
Pete Quinonez – Bridges Prison Ministry/Victory Worship Center – Arizona
Sandy Quinonez – Bridges Prison Ministry/Victory Worship Center – Arizona
Benjamin Raikes – Hudersfield University – England
Yvette Reaves – Prison Family Nation
Joan Redding – Texas
Journey Reed – Strong Prison Wives and Families – Maryland
Lecroy Rhyanes – Voices Behind Walls – Texas
Carol Rienstra – Citizens for Prison Reform – Michigan
Rich Rienstra – Citizens for Prison Reform – Michigan
Suzie Rimstidt – Indiana
Clay Rojas – PrisonFamilies.org – California
Rosey Ruiz – ASPIRE to Win, Inc. – TX
Jennifer Rundall – Inmates Matter Too – Texas
Khalil Rushdan – ACLU Arizona Justice Project – Arizona
Victoria Rusk – Heart of Justice – Texas
Terrence Sampson – Texas
Margo Santiago – Florida
Elmo Sapwater – Press – New York
Shari O. Scher – Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership – Maryland
Leslie Schieffer – Texas
Liliana Segura – Campaign to End the Death Penalty – New York
Kohl Shallenberger – Indiana
Ronald Simpson-Bey – Just Leadership USA – Michigan
Reginald (Reggie) Smith – Texas
LaSann Snow – Strong Prison Wives and Friends – South Carolina
Francis Ssuubi – Wells of Hope – Uganda
Terry Steinberg – Journey of Hope – Virginia
Wesley Steuwe – Ohio
Damon Stewart – Light of Law & End New Jim Crow Action Group of Atlanta – Georgia
Kiwania Strahan – Anthem Strong Families – Texas
Maja Gabelica Supljika – Ombudsman for Children – Croatia
Monique Tate – Georgia
Ida Mae Terry – Connecticutt
Leon Theodore – Texas
Tommie Thompson – Justice Journeys – Georgia
Catherine Tijerina – The RIDGE Project – Ohio
Ron Tijerina – The RIDGE Project – Ohio
Richard Torres – Youth Arts Program (YAP) – Texas
Jonathan Trethewey – Arizona
Michael Trout – The Infant-Parent Institute – Illinois
Sharon Varallo – Illinois
Melissa Victor – Texas
Darryl Watton – Canada
Chaplain Bernell Wesley – Community Chaplaincy Outreach, Inc. – Georgia
Emily Westerholm – Opportunity, Alliance & Re-entry – Virginia
Claudia Whitman – National Death Row Assistance Network of CURE – Colorado
Gloria Jean Williams – Save Kids of Incarcrated Parents – Alabama
Jan Williams – Grassroots Leadership – Texas
Samantha Williams – Oklahoma
Marie Wiegand – Nebraska
Fury Young – Die Jim Crow – New York
Mignon Zezqueaux – Texas Advocates for Justice – Texas
Dawn Zuppelli – New York
* To be included as an Advocacy in Action Coalition Member, send your request to info@prisonersfamilyconference.org for further information.
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