Unable to support her sister in person, Synthia sends her love and encouragement from behind bars, through this prayer. “A Prayer,” by Ms. Synthia China Blast Dedicated to Rebecca Oshun-Leti Morales. I do not believe that the accident of birth makes people sisters. It makes them siblings. Gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood are conditions […]
Archive | SRLP Prisoner Advisory Committee
We believe that storytelling is a revolutionary act…
so, we created this space to share the activities and stories of our Prisoner Advisory Committee (PAC).
Solitary confinement, “a cruel and unusual punishment that benefits no one…nothing about it rehabilitates…”
Dee Dee Webber survives in an isolated cell for at least 23 hours every day, without human interaction. She is a trans woman in a prison for men, and she has been in solitary confinement for the past 4 years. Webber’s discussion of her experiences in Involuntary Protective Custody helps to illustrate some of the […]
A lovestory from “one of the darkest corners of this world”
Very rarely have I read “spark of life,” “amazing,” or “captivating” used by trans and gender non-conforming people–or anyone for that matter–to describe their experiences in prison. It is good to hear about finding love, and “sparks of life” behind bars. In this letter, Lexy, an incarcerated trans woman in Midstate Correctional Facility, describes some of […]
What is freedom? A poem by Synthia China Blast
Read “Freedom,” an incarcerated transgender woman’s poetic encouragement for self-determination. “Freedom,” by Ms. Synthia China Blast To see what we have never seen To be what we have never been To shed the chrysalis and fly Depart the earth—kiss the sky To be reborn becoming someone new Is this a dream or is it […]
From someone currently incarcerated in the prison system: The Prison Rape Elimination Act is not working as it should.
Warning: The following letter includes topics of sexual mistreatment or abuse. If you may be triggered by these topics, proceed with caution. In her last letter, Lennea shared with us an incident of sexual harassment and her attempts at seeking basic protective measures, and the resulting injustice she received at the hands of the prison […]
How difficult (or unsafe) can it be to work out or to buy lotion in prison?
In a letter following her introduction posted a few weeks ago, Lennea gives us a a few updates from this past March. Topics include the nuances of obtaining transition-related materials and procedures in prison, and her difficulties with the administration around issues of sexual harassment and alleged sexual conduct. Warning: The following letter includes topics […]
New prison mail: it takes courage to say “hello” to the voice that is you
Introduction to Lennea Elizabeth Stevens. Lennea plans to submit regularly to the PAC blog, to document and share her experiences as an incarcerated trans woman. In her first post, Lennea also shares some of her experience and thoughts on beginning to discover and come to terms with her inner voice. “Transitioning the Hard Way: […]
New prison mail: Being trans is a journey, but not a choice!
Making the leap to affirm our genders can be challenging for anyone in this predominantly heteronormative and cissexist society. Incarcerated trans woman Jakaelynn tells us why doing so behind bars is especially trying, and likens the experience of transition to Alice’s fabled journey down the rabbit hole. Warning: The following letter mentions topics like […]
What is life like in prison? The unsimple answer. (Part 4)
In what may be the most extensive entry ever submitted to our blog, Jessica – an incarcerated trans woman – attempts to answer the question, “What is life like in prison?” She shares with us an entry that is chock-full of thoughts and stories, drawing from decades of personal experience. This is the fourth part […]
What is life like in prison? The unsimple answer. (Part 3)
In what may be the most extensive entry ever submitted to our blog, Jessica – an incarcerated trans woman – attempts to answer the question, “What is life like in prison?” She shares with us an entry that is chock-full of thoughts and stories, drawing from decades of personal experience. This is the third part […]