Through the powerful medium of poetry, incarcerated transgender woman Jakaelynn shares feelings that many trans people can relate to, and also offers more universal advice about breaking a vicious cycle of unhealthy relationships. Jakaelynn is a member of SRLP’s Prison Advisory Committee (PAC), which joins trans, intersex, gender non-conforming people…
SRLP Prisoner Advisory Committee
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A max-security prison in NY lives up to its (bad) reputation, says PAC
Legends of “corruption, sex, [and] blatant theft” that surround NYC’s maximum security prison, Attica Correctional Facility, are confirmed by PAC Member Robert Cepeda during a temporary stay at the facility. This chilling account exposes the truth behind the rumors about ever-present conditions, which – in 1971 – may have…
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Songwriting behind bars – PAC member Jakaelynn shares her talent!
In a welcome departure from the usual posts on this blog, PAC member Jakaelynn Rae Shakely shares the lyrics from one of her many amazing songs, and it uniquely captures the turmoil and struggles we too often hear from our PAC members and other incarcerated trans women. << Previous…
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Failures of the criminal punishment system from a prisoner’s perspective
An incarcerated, transgender member of our Prisoner Advisory Committee thoroughly explains how the criminal punishment system – and other such institutions – fail to provide a fair and healthy environment for people to live in. << Previous entry | Return to blog | Next entry >> Warning: The…
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Prison officials stop at nothing to separate lovers in PAC
[hr]On Monday, Prince generally outlined the unsettling discrimination he faces as a gay male in prison. In this letter, he shares some specific incidents involving the mistreatment of himself and a lover by not only inmates, but also prison officials. [button link=”http://srlp.org/letter-from-inside-princes-introduction/” size=”small” color=”silver”]<< Previous entry[/button] [button link=”http://www.srlp.org/category/pac” size=”small” color=”silver”]Return…
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Prison is unsafe for LGBT people – Testimony from a PAC Member
[hr] Prince, who identifies as a gay male, introduces himself and reminds us that incarcerated people who do not conform to traditional ideas about gender and sexuality face a particularly high risk of violence and discrimination. [button link=”http://srlp.org/letters-from-inside-to-srlp/” size=”small” color=”silver”]<< Previous entry[/button] [button link=”http://www.srlp.org/category/pac” size=”small” color=”silver”]Return to blog[/button] …
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Overcoming a life of hardship – One PAC Member’s story
[hr] The hardships faced by Samantha – a currently incarcerated transgender woman – began long before she was accused of any crimes. Her story demonstrates how much she has overcome to blossom as the woman we know today. [divider] [button link=”http://srlp.org/letters-from-inside-our-letter/” size=”small” color=”silver”]<< Previous entry[/button] [button link=”http://www.srlp.org/category/pac” size=”small” color=”silver”]Return to…
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Poetry from PAC – “Dear Mama”
[hr] Through poetry, PAC Member Lady Doll responds to familial reactions to her coming out as trans. [button link=”http://srlp.org/letters-from-inside-reverse-gestation-and-a-poem/” size=”small” color=”silver”]<< Previous entry[/button] [button link=”http://www.srlp.org/category/pac” size=”small” color=”silver”]Return to blog[/button] [button link=”http://srlp.org/cece-is-free-letters-from-inside/” size=”small” color=”silver”]Next entry >>[/button] [box]Warning: The following poem conveys a personal account of physical and verbal abuse, and…
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“Prison, A World of its Own” – MyAsia recounts her experiences
[hr]When you’re a trans woman incarcerated in a men’s facility, just being left alone can seem nearly impossible. MyAsia aka “Lady Doll” tells us how things work inside, and that positive moments can still occur.[divider] [button link=”http://srlp.org/letters-from-inside-a-blatant-malfeasance/” size=”small” color=”silver”]<< Previous entry[/button] [button link=”http://www.srlp.org/category/pac” size=”small” color=”silver”]Return to blog[/button] [button link=”http://srlp.org/letters-from-inside-reverse-gestation-and-a-poem/” size=”small”…
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Correctional Officers Live by their Own Rules, Says One PAC Member
[hr]What happens when C.O.’s don’t want to do their jobs? PAC Member S. Davidson chronicled the incident that contributed to his proposal of an internal, “entity of oversight” which monitors the behaviors of guards and officials.[divider] [button link=”http://srlp.org/out-of-the-hell-hole-into-the-calming-storm-letter-from-a-former-pac-member/” size=”small” color=”silver”]<< Previous entry[/button] [button link=”http://www.srlp.org/category/pac” size=”small” color=”silver”]Return to blog[/button] [button link=”http://srlp.org/letters-from-inside-prison-a-world-of-its-own/”…