WHY VOLUNTEER?

Read some personal insights and reasons from some of our members & supporters:

 

 

Dr. G M Larkin
Forensic Pathologist writes:

I am involved in Prison Reform for both moral and pragmatic reasons, one as
important as the other.  Draconian punishments didn't work in Ancient Greece
2500 years ago, and has not worked ever since.  In our scheme of justice, a
criminal will more likely than not be released, released a more hardened
criminal than before, prisons not teaching anything but how to be more
successful in crime.

If the mission of the prison is to prevent crime by acting as a deterrent,
it is a failure, albeit a costly failure.  Any business with a 35% success
rate will not be in business very long.  But the prison-industrial industry
is big business, the only economy in some places.  Be tough on crime (a buzz
word for harsher prisons) and build more prisons; fill the prisons by
enacting new more restrictive laws, needing new prisons to accommodate the
influx.  Eventually half the population will be guarding the other half....

A civilization is regarded by history by the way it treats the worst of the
worst, the lowest of its members.  By demonizing the convict, we perpetuate
his criminal ideation, by treating him like a mad dog, we create mad dogs,
desensitized to human feeling.  This perpetuates violence, the very thing we
are trying to prevent.

Some people require separation from society, probably for life; other
criminals need intensive therapy to correct their reasoning.  Others commit
"technical crimes" and should not be imprisoned at all.  But while in
prison, the inmate should be treated humanely, not coddled or subject to
intense physical and mental torture.  This is de rigor in many but not all
prison systems.  In some, the only difference between the guard and
prisoner is that the guards wear uniforms different from the prisoner.

We cannot force a man or woman to be law abiding by beating criminality out
of him.  That is the immorality of the system.

Barbara Brooks,

Orange County CA, FACTS writes:

 

We are not just trying to survive this whole thing.  We are trying to OVERCOME IT
VICTORIOUSLY! 
Many prisoner families are willing to complain about their PRISON LIFESTYLE,
such as being treated rudely by a prison guard, getting their visiting time
cut, their mail, phone calls, and just how rotten the system is and how it is
treating them, but as far as putting in some time in order to CHANGE THEIR
LIFESTYLE, that seems to be asking too much.  They are remaining VICTIMS OF
THE SYSTEM. 

We are fighting for those who don't have what it takes to fight for
OTHERS, OR EVEN THEMSELVES.  They can't seem to overcome their own
complacency, their 'what good would it do attitudes.'  As long as they get
their visit, that's fine with them.  They like to complain, but don't want to
be PART OF THE SOLUTION.

Myself, I got into this movement because I want my son free.  Would you be
willing to fight for my son's freedom if you don't have time to fight for
your own husband's?  I'm not waiting for someone else to do it.  In fact, the
love I have for my son and my desire for his freedom is what keeps me going. 
No other prisoner moves me like my own son does.  I'm not like some people. 
If this law had not touched my family, I'd be doing my own thing.  Yet, when
I step forward for my own son, all 3-striker prisoners will benefit.  If we
all would just step forward for ONE PERSON!

Freedom has always required sacrifice.  And a few are willing to fight for
it.  We sacrifice our time, our dollars, our sleep, our energy and even our
other family members have to sacrifice their own desires.  It's a family
thing.  WE ALL HAVE BURDENS IN OUR LIVES, AND WE DO NOT KNOW

EACH OTHER’S CIRCUMSTANCES.  We ALL SUFFER, but we are

RE-CHANELING our suffering in a POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE MANNER.

Even if you can't be at a rally 400 miles away, why not form your own rally
at the prison you go to?  Put together a few bucks for printing flyers and
pass them out.  Make a few signs and be there.  Give up a couple hours of
visiting time on PRUP day to protest at your prison of choice.  California has
prisons up and down the state.  Keep writing letters to your legislators. 
Give up a few dollars every month to build the fund for Campaign 2004
Initiative Drive that FACTS is working on.  It takes money to get an
initiative on the ballot; it isn't done by wishful dreams.

I hate to think we would lose because we could not get enough of the prisoner
families to help themselves, in the quest to change this law.  Something like
'Evil exists because good people do nothing.'

Linda Tant Miller

PRUP Co-Founder writes:

 

In these days of terrorist attacks, shrinking job markets and exploding prices, why should you invest your time and energy in supporting the Prison Reform Unity Project and participating in Prison Reform Unity Day observances?

The most elementary reason is because Americans are supposed to respect the human rights of all people, but every day in American prisons the most basic of human rights of both prisoners and free world people alike are ruthlessly trampled underfoot.

Whether you are a prisoner, a friend or family member of a prisoner, a prison staff member or someone with no ties at all to any prison, YOU have a stake in the reform of America's planned-recidivism, revolving door prisons.

PRISONERS are routinely physically and emotionally brutalized, de-humanized, medically neglected, and kept from contact with those they love, and even executed. Some are kept for years at a time in Solitary Confinement or Security Units, with no physical contact with anyone, and minimal verbal contact with the prison staff. Prisoner mail is often "lost" or returned to sender for no apparent reason. The little personal property prisoners are permitted to keep - primarily books, personal hygiene items, mail and photos, is often wantonly destroyed by staff during routine "cell tosses" in searches for contraband.

PRISONER FAMILIES AND FRIENDS suffer the pain of separation; the stress of maintaining their households alone and the agony of worrying about their incarcerated loved one, while having their pockets picked by the DOCs' exorbitant telephone fees. For many, visitation takes place on opposite sides of glass, by telephone. For some it's even worse - video visits - in which they are in separate rooms viewing one another on TV monitors. Prisoners often spend years without experiencing the warmth and comfort of the touch of someone who loves them.  And visitation privileges can be PERMANENTLY terminated if a visitor inadvertently violates some prison visitation rule.

PRISON STAFF are also brutalized by the systems in which they work. Their lives are endangered by angry prisoners who have been forced to survive in an environment so permeated with every type of horror that they have lost all sense of compassion and empathy. Staff intelligence levels, training and pay are usually inadequate, and their hours often too long. I actually know two people who were refused employment in prisons because they scored TOO HIGH on the intelligence test. Prison personnel should be screened, hired, trained, and paid as professional members of a rehabilitative team, rather than being screened and trained to be nothing more than "hired thugs". They too spend a big part of their lives behind bars, and no person can spend 40 hours a week witnessing and participating in the daily life of a current American prison without being adversely affected by it.

PEOPLE WITH NO TIES TO PRISONS are supporting with their tax dollars an exorbitantly expensive prison system, which is designed to fail at rehabilitating people, before it returns 97% of them to society. We are paying to have prisoners returned to our streets brutalized into being angry at the whole world, sick from years of medical neglect, unable to find decent housing or employment and often with their families broken and scattered. They have no place to go other than back to prison - but first they have to create another victim.

Our present penal system doesn't provide the "public safety" it claims - it actually provides nothing more than job security for prison personnel - and at what a high human and financial cost!

It doesn't have to be like this - in Denmark the job of prison personnel is seen as reforming, not punishing prisoners, and the success or failure of those working with prisoners is determined by how well they do at keeping people from returning to prison. As a result, Denmark has one of the lowest recidivism rates and lowest crime rates in the world. You can't argue with success!

We can do the same thing in America, but it's going to take all of us, standing together to make our legislators understand that we DEMAND that the basic human rights of prisoners and their families be respected!

We have to provide prisoners adequate and timely medical care for their sakes, for the sakes of their desperate and helpless loved ones, and so that they don't spread infectious diseases to one another nor bring them with them when they are released.

We have to provide prisoners whatever therapies and skills they need to live successfully OUTSIDE of prison, rather than continue to force them to learn the dark skills required to survive inside prisons.

We have to respect the integrity and importance of prisoners' families and friends in their lives and as an integral part of their rehabilitation team, rather than permitting the prisons to continue to treat them as trouble-making impediments to their work of punishing people.

Why volunteer?

Because a few thousand of us can't do it alone. Our voices, carrying a message few want to hear, can't be heard over the short-sighted rhetoric spewed by politicians and victims rights organizations, who have completely lost sight of the fact that their enthusiastic cries for longer and harsher sentences is reaping a human and financial toll that no society can maintain for long.

Why volunteer?

Because we have a War on Terrorism to fight right here at home.

Kenneth O’Neal

Author & Public Speaker writes:

 

This is the equivalent of a half time speech from your coach when you're behind but know you have what it takes inside to arise to the situation in the second half, totally kick ass and defeat your opponent. This is also akin to a heartfelt speech coming from a life coach that is meant to edify and extol one and all to get off the sidelines of this thing called "Life" and therefore stop being a pacified observer, but to rather become an active participant and to stand up for your rights and to stand for your beliefs!

 

I want you to begin to put your money where your mouth is at. I challenge you! Consider me your drill instructor in the military full of hype and guts and glory here to instill within you what is already there.

Empowerment obtained by learning to recognize the strength wrought by the freewill we have inside when we learn to use it to it's fullest capacity and potential. In order to usher in change and to actually make a difference we are up against a sheer game of numbers. The more unity through numbers we ascertain the more effective we can strike back at the gargantuan, bureaucratic and cold system and the quicker we can bring about change and reform in a big way.

The essence of the problem is that we fight a formidable foe and the situation is too dire and drastic for anyone claiming to be concerned and desirous of change to be afforded the luxury or cop out mentality to sit their butts on the sidelines like some eternal couch potato and do nothing. Awake and Arise!!! Your manpower and assets are needed and this is a Call to Arms!

 

In case you are clueless and the little light above your head hasn't illuminated you to this fact yet, I am talking to YOU! By "You" I truly mean each and every person reading this now unless you are a facetious law enforcement- establishment type who worships the status quo and has come into contact with these words by subterfuge. If the former is the case then you can still jump ship out of the hostile territory of wrong and come on over to the RIGHT side. You know, I'm speaking of the side with heart that actually cares about the lives of others who sojourn upon this life with us. Including care for all human beings even those unfortunate to land in prison. For the rest of YOU, and yes I mean "YOU", the mere fact that you are reading this shows that the spiritual Powers that Be had you in mind when I sat down to transcribe this little manifesto exhorting each of you to be a doer and not just a hearer of all things good and utopian by nature. Smile.

 

I challenge you to ask yourself how long have you been a "Yes" person in regards to all matters about the system being in need of serious change and have been in agreement every time someone shouted out that an exposed injustice was taking place but that change must be ushered in? How many of the same ones of you that answered yes to the above question have never actually gotten out into the streets or to a rally and put your weight and man or woman power behind a cause?!

 

I already know the answer to this but bring it up cause I won't you to register the abysmal low hand count in the impromptu poll just conducted. That's far too many and I'm here to inform you that you can change that track record of apathy and idleness right here and now by making it to one of the PRUP rallies held in your own state next month. We know what needs to be done. We need numbers of caring, concerned, strong willed people to turn out to these respective events to draw attention and ample curiosity to our causes, and the plights and dilemmas facing the hordes of the imprisoned. In doing so it will open up doors with the possibility of educating many more of the masses than currently possible to the facts of the situation and to offer up viable education of the school of hard knocks variety to all those with receptive ears. I've always been a firm believer in the old yet powerful adage Knowledge is Power and Power Wins Wars! If we are going to educate those in the dark to the plight and dilemma of those incarcerated within this nation then it is necessary to draw attention to the issues.

The most effective way to do this is to get sufficient numbers to turn out to the upcoming PRUP rallies next month which will bring a degree of media attention which equates to free advertisement and the spotlight will further arouse curiosity in those who are sympathetic to our cause. Help build momentum for the cause of reform and turn out to the October rallies!

By turning out to one of the many PRUP rallies on October 18th you will be making a major statement and can feel pride and self-satisfaction that you have finally changed the age old custom of sitting back lazily and letting everyone else do the hands on dirty work. As far as "dirty work" goes the October rallies of speeches, fellowship and good eating, this it is not. It's anything but dirty work. It's actually allot of fun. Smile. How hard can it be to make a world of difference merely by attending a gathering with other like-minded individuals who are kind, well intentioned and for the most part personable? Fellowshipping, networking and having a spread in the form of a picnic right here in the cooler temperatures of fall is an enjoyable and productive day just waiting to happen. See what I mean, jellybean? Haha!

Think about it. You have a pristine, golden opportunity to make a world of difference just by showing up, learning something, making new friends and having some fun. No better deal could be offered to you and there are no strings attached. Just be there with an open mind and willing to learn! Which brings us to the essence of this little diatribe.

This is a motivational speech contrived to inspire YOU, Jo and Jane Reader, to get up and get out there to the locale of your public statewide PRUP gathering and to make a difference by putting your body in the location it is needed on 10-18 to actually make a profound statement to the public at large. You can do this and it's not allot to ask.

 

By acting upon what you believe in you can look in the mirror every morning and know that you have blossomed into the type of individual you always wanted to be and knew you could become once you took the initiative. It's never about ourselves. Self-promotion is not where it's at. Rather it's about being in service to others, a voice for the voiceless if you will. That's one of the answers to lives empirical questions. Lend ourselves to the worthy pursuit of being to service to others that is. It's where it's at and what it's really all about! Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out, but only requires someone to follow their heart and convictions.. Just by showing up to one of the PRUP rallies you will collectively be helping every inmate confined within the ever-increasing penitentiary systems of America.

We may currently not have much say as to how many individuals actually become statistics and a number once railroaded through the judicial system and then thrown into the many times deplorable, usually bordering on violation of their 8th Amendment rights conditions. But we have a valid shot at being a catalyst to bring about reform to the conditions and opportunities available to those men and women once on the inside the Big House and behind the razor wire. This is why it's paramount for you to make a commitment to yourself today to be a doer and not merely a hearer of all the correct and true propaganda and to pledge to get yourself to one of the PRUP events next month.

There is still plenty of time to find out details for your state Chapter and to make arrangements to go. Be there or be square! Smile. Besides you have absolutely nothing to lose but everything to gain cause it'll be fun. It's all good Brothers and Sisters! Make your life count!

'PRUP' stands for "Prison Reform Unity Project". Reread the full name meaning of the PRUP anagram once again and it should become apparent as to what the intentions and motivating factors of this fine grassroots effort is. It's a cohesive joining together under the mantra of there is power in unity of all groups and individuals desirous of reform to be brought about in the way America warehouses and wastes years unproductively for inmates held against their will, many times for untold years for the simplest of violations.

"Reform" is not a call to free all inmates. Many inmates need to accept responsibility and realize they only have themselves to blame for being in the gulag. However in my estimation of things once a person has their freedom taken away from them as they are found guilty in a court of law and serve out their debt to society behind the walls the punishment should stop right there. Taking away ones freedom is certainly punishment enough! The American judicial system should not resemble the vigilante hang ‘em up and hang ‘em high squads of yore. Instead of abusing these unfortunate people once inside prison and perpetuating the monster manufacturing machine that prison has become, prison should rather take on an atmosphere conducive to being a breeding ground of positivity with educational and vocational, not to mention drug and alcohol rehabilitation opportunities abounding.

It is common sense to work with the wayward person to help eradicate and deal effectively with the root causes of their problems, which manifest into lawlessness and to also assist them with ample opportunities to assure their odds are greatly enhanced upon reintegration into society. To not do so is not merely an injustice to those who become institutionalized but to society at large who must foot the bill of their long term and excessive incarceration in the form of tax dollars.

Most of these men and women will one day be released from the suppressive environment of prison life in America and if reform is not wrought soon in this great nation on a mass scale, then the monkey wrench that’s already been thrown in the cogwheels of the system will bring it to a halt as undue violence and mayhem dictate the might is right rule mentality behind the wire. We wish to bring about reform in prison where the emphasis becomes that of rehabilitation and not punishment. This will produce rehabilitated individuals ready to be released and reintegrated successfully back into society and to break the chain of recidivism. More on this at another time. I could wax ecstatic about the virtues of a productive prison system where men truly change and are given the skills and opportunities conducive to helping him to come out and to be a productive citizen who makes it in society.

 

Go to the Texas rally where I am the appointed PRUP spokesperson and you can hear all of my agenda on this subject!

Be there it'll truly rock!

The Prison Reform Unity Project (PRUP) was founded in December of 1999. Since that time this grassroots effort has grown by leaps and bounds and effectively been instrumental in bringing about unity in the Prison Support Community. The best thing about PRUP is that the potential of the reform and good that will spring forth outwardly from it is truly infinite. Join in now and grow and mature in the activism community with this up and coming powerhouse!

One of the National PRUP coordinators is Mary Tunstall. She is a woman of dedication and service and one of the well-meaning heads of this fine organization. I would also like to mention Heidi Jones who is not only a National PRUP coordinator but also one of the founders of this dynamic organization. Last but not least I'd like to tip my hat to Linda Miller who is one of the other founding members of this project for reform. Way to go gals and I send my fullest respects and warm regards to each of you. Keep up the good work and Keep the Faith!

I would like to highlight and reiterate some of the most easily tangible and obtainable goals and intentions of PRUP. By showing up to one of these rallies on the 18th of October you will be standing firm in your convictions and showing unified agreement alongside these noble pursuits. PRUP coordinates an annual day of unity for all human rights and prison reform groups. Just like the old saying goes, "Get in where you fit in". How true that statement is and all of us that belong in this PRUP camp and on this bandwagon are all the much more wiser and stronger for having united. Power to the People!!!

 

PRUP also facilitates with various like-minded organizations and with families and friends of prisoners and people of conscience to conduct annual rallies at state capitals, prisons and other appropriate sites across America.

Let's focus in on a term used in the aforementioned statement. I really like the feel and vibe that emanates from the term "People of Conscience". How many of you reading this have found yourself extremely riled and aggravated when you heard of your incarcerated loved one, or any inmate for that matter, who was attacked by other inmates, attacked by guards, or had unmentionable violations against humanity forced upon themselves or their property?!!!

If so then the driving force that allowed your buttons to be pushed and made you adopt a stance in opposition was your conscience. Striving to right wrongs that should not occur in this supposedly enlightened day and age is normal for real people like you and me. To learn of these outrages against humanity causes a reaction in those with heart to rise up and strive do something. These same individuals are the ones we mean when we speak of "People Of Conscience". It is to these individuals that I appeal to now to get off the sidelines and get into the thick of the situation of doing what is right to usher in reform by setting your mind right here and now to seek out and attend one of these PRUP rallies on 10-18.

Just do it!!! You know it is right, merciful for the downtrodden and the thing to do. Nuff said. You're needed and the day and age of passing the buck on to the next man is over! A new paradigm must come to fruition now and we will make it happen. The buck stops with you and each of us. We are the "People of Conscience" and if we won't stand up, be accounted for and do what is right no one will. Saying all that, it should be all to apparent why you are needed at the rally of your choosing on October 18th. It's just the right thing for People of Conscience to do. See you there!

In a nutshell PRUP is all about getting people involved. I've always been a firm believer in getting people up and motivated to act on their beliefs. I did this even during the 11 years I spent behind the wire. Albeit many times in the past I did this in a negative fashion. Now I have prioritized the fundamental things in life in their proper perspective and know how to make a difference and to make my voice heard and to count myself in full force to be reckoned with legally and effectively. Thus I have agreed to be spokesperson for the Texas Chapter of PRUP.

Each of you has a place and a calling within the PRUP organization if you are a person of beliefs or better yet a Person Of Conscience and willing to take it to the next level and act on these same beliefs then you are just the person necessary to get out on 10-18 and make a difference by lending yourself to the head count at one of these events. There is power in numbers and it is a means to an end so make your beliefs known by lending your presence to the head count at the October events. If you don't do it no one else will. People always assume they are busier than others and that someone else will take their place and volunteer to do what is necessary. This is rarely the case. Don't debate it within your own head and thus let yourself be overcome with a self defeatist attitude and overwhelmed with negativity. Rather give yourself over to self-empowerment and become a person of conscience and let this be the collective turning over a new leaf in your life by attending these fun yet informative events. To sum it all up once again in as simple terms as possible I'll say, just be there!!!!!

 

Nycki and me do what we can to help others and are constantly endeavoring to branch out to make ourselves more available to the people who most need our assistance within the public at large. I encourage each of you Persons Of Conscience to join our e-group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Broken_Chains , which is where I first run my Prison Series articles, which are immensely popular amongst many groups and individuals and have taken on a life of their own. Once you join the group you can access all my prior articles by clicking on FILE on the main page of the group. There's a wealth of information and knowledge there. Enjoy!

 

Also please be aware that Nycki and me now control www.PrisonChat.Net and if you desire to interact with, communicate with and network with other like-minded individuals from within the prison support community in real time on the largest and best site of its type on the Internet then go to PrisonChat.Net and register for free and for all time. See you there! Smile. My articles will all also be accessible there soon by clicking on the Articles section at the same place you click into our chat.

 

I also go into prisons with Messengers Prison Ministry to share my testimony and some of my articles and testimony are available on their site at www.MessengersPM.Org . Go check all this out and register and join where you can. Last weekend I was with this group on the notorious Eastham Unit and if you haven't read my article about that wonderful trip and experience yet then look for my recent article 'Behind the Scenes at Eastham Prison'. Nycki and me send you our love and warmest wishes. I'm very much looking forward to the rallies next month and they will rock!!!

 

Get out there Concerned Persons of Conscience and make a difference!

 

Stay strong and Keep the Faith, Ken

 

 

Leona Abraham-Brandao

Author & Prison Reform Advocate writes:

 

 

On a nation wide level, prisons are continuously undergoing various changes. However, the changes made vary from state to state and the sentencing of prisoners, committing similar crimes are not always consistent. Some prisoners are sentenced to a life without parole, while others who are charged with the same, or similar, crime may be sentenced to life in prison, whereas, the prisoner is eligible at some point in time for parole. Another issue is the transference of prisoners from one state to another (i.e., a prisoner from Massachusetts may be sent to a prison in Pennsylvania, or a prisoner from Connecticut may be sent to a prison in Maine, etc.). This type of action usually causes a hardship on the families who have a desire to visit with their loved ones in prison. Still, another problem is that visitation policies vary enormously. Some prisons allow for contact visits between prisoners and their families, while other prisons will only allow visits to occur while speaking to their family members via a phone and through a window. The children of prisoners grow to hate the members of society in personal opinions. A society who knows not, the person whom they seek vengeance on. We can never replace a loved one. Therefore, we need to rehabilitate and reform prisoners.

There are advocates throughout the country advocating for prison reform in each state to address many of these issues. Again, the problem still remains, that any progress made, generally reflects only the laws in that particular state. Therefore, any positive changes made, insofar as, commutations, paroles or early paroles, will not benefit the prisoner incarcerated there if he is a transferee from another state as they are still under the auspice of the state in which they were transferred from.

Prisoners, like others in society, need consistency in their lives. Especially, during a time when they are becoming more aware of the circumstances that led them to the incarceration. In addition, having freedom taken away for a lifetime, is something that a prisoner, as with any of us, may hear at their sentencing, but in all reality, they will not have the ability to absorb immediately. It is difficult to believe that a society that is expected to be neutral and understanding of both parties, could have a predisposed point of view of someone they know nothing about.

Prisoner advocates, in addition to various other organizations, and churches need to work together nation wide, to establish more workable solutions to crime and punishment. Furthermore, we as a society need to go beyond the surface of the problems, regardless of the degree of violence. We will unfortunately, continue to see a rise in crime unless we begin to search out the cause, which ultimately led to the incarceration of prisoners.

There will always be generations after generations of children coming into this world. We, as a society, cannot and should not, continue with the mindset, that destruction of prisoners will solve all problems. Moreover, we need to be realistic and more involved on positive and effective rehabilitation. We need to all advocate for prison reform for a healthier society.

 

 

11/4/2003