Written By: Ashleigh Dye
It is through a woman that man is born. It is a woman’s hands who most often hold that baby, nurture that baby, and raise that baby into the person they will be. Women are all too often an overlooked and undervalued population. We’ve been told we are too small, too loud, or too often, in the way. We’ve been beaten down, bruised, and told we can’t for centuries. Women have had to fight for their rights for everything from voting to being counted as a person. Now is the time for the incarcerated woman to fight for Her freedom, to fight for Her voice to be heard. As women we can no longer allow society to tell us to be quiet or to sit down. We’ve remained in the place they have put us in for too long now. We are life-givers, and it is our responsibility to use the power that we have been given to speak up, speak out, and tell the world that we are here, that we matter, and that we will not be silenced by the walls they’ve put us behind. The Department of Corrections and the Justice system has a habit, a practice of forgetting the Female offender. A system designed by men to cage men has no way of understanding the needs of a woman in that situation. We have to use our voices to inform them, educate them, and show them who we are, what we need, and how they can better serve a population that is a minority. Vulnerable to the policies that rule our worlds, we must do for us what they won’t: fight. We do this through our voices. A woman’s voice has a power in it that no man can match. Have you ever tried to argue with a woman? Tell me how that goes. So why do we women so often sit down and accept our circumstances and sentences as a millstone around our neck? We must tap into our inner Queen and use our voice to rule. We have the ability to change policies, change legislation, change lives. We must tell them what they need to do next, tell them how we feel, and tell them that gender informed care must become the norm in VADOC. So, ladies, I call you, I challenge you to speak! Create life using the voice you have. Because Her voice? Her voice creates worlds, destroys walls, changes mindsets, and Her voice will be heard!
Written By: Latoya Carter
WHY WOMEN’S VOICES ARE IMPORTANT IN REFORM”
As I’ve journeyed through my years in confinement, I’ve gained personal experience and indisputable proof on how women are the forgotten topic of reform. I had no options but to absorb for so long how our education, physical and mental health; amongst other issues and necessities aren’t even considered in agendas. So, you ask why is our voice important in the reform? Simply put, it’s time to “reform” the concretion of ideas of “reform” that are clearly based towards the male population in majority. One definition of reform is: to change what is defective. In my opinion one of the most damaging defects going on right now is that the female population doesn’t have access to enough platforms and people that will voice their concerns and the changes they want to see and do it. We don’t need another board of people hired to address ” this or that” only to fall flat on promises. Or to keep seeing how men are offered opportunities at the speed of lightning, but we are made to work and man 1000s of acres of farm for multimillion dollar companies, but we receive .45 cent. Our voices are so critical right now because we are fighting a war for equality and to be appreciated for more than just laborers. We need to be enhanced in every aspect of our life. Bills need to be created to help keep mothers connected to their children while incarcerated. Women’s health and wellness need to be taken more seriously. Further education should be a standard not a reward. Living conditions and healthy food to sustain us should be provided. We should have music and art classes and libraries in every woman’s prison. It’s sad to say that you may find two of those things currently at most available at facilities. The goal of rehabilitation has never been forgotten for the women because it was never an intentional thought. These prisons are solely punishment tactics, and we need to change that trajectory. Our voice needs to be heard to ensure real accountability structures are in place to assist women in care during and post incarceration. We need to reach the level in which our voice is not only heard but respected, then concerning reform our voice will matter to the point of change.
Written By: Kristen Moody
Throughout history I have learned that women have been more or less shut down, prohibited, disqualified, and not even considered a person many times. However, no matter how much they were told to remain “silent” they pushed back with momentous force. Refusing to not be heard. That is still going on today. So, it is important for my voice to heard in this reform movement not just for some achievement in history but also as a women offender. Up until now I have believed that my opinion and voice didn’t matter and won’t make a difference, that due to the nature of my charges that I don’t have a chance so I should remain silent and serve my time. But I am tired of believing and thinking that I am less than compared to anyone else in here, of being excluded from laws, and not being able to participate in certain programs and resources. I am tired of believing and thinking that I am less than compared to anyone else in here serving time. Yes, I committed a crime and made some choices and decisions. Which unfortunately led me to be labeled a certain way for the rest of my life. Though that shouldn’t change the fact that at the end of the day my blood still bleeds red, my lungs still breathe air, I have a distinct and separate personality, and overall I am a human being. It doesn’t help that the legal system also rates persons with such label are beneath people who have committed or are associated with murder. Or unfortunately when people discover why I am locked up they change up on how they look, interact, and treat me. Even if they have gotten to know me prior to learning why I am here. I am now seen as a grotesque and vile being. In general not much attention is given to female offenders and the struggles we endure in here. Not only does that persona creep through these walls; it has also leaked into society. Where TV shows depict us as disgusting, dirty, menaces, especially women. But it plays a part when it comes to excluding us from laws that are attempting or making change for violent offenders. It has been shown in statistics that people that fall into this category of offenses have one of the lowest recidivism rates. One of the reasons this is is because not only do we have probation regulations to follow but also state regulations. Another reason is we have so much more to lose even with a minor infraction we could end up back in jail or prison in a blink of an eye. Or that we as women offenders are lumped into a category dominated by men and are sentenced under their guidelines. Where in other cases or instances it is determined on a case-by-case basis on whether or not they qualify. Behind these walls myself and others are prohibited from participating in certain programs, activities, or receiving viable resources upon returning to society. For instance, one of my fellow offenders with our label had to request to be in a program because once she was released, she could no longer return to her prior profession. Had she not requested it wouldn’t have been brought up because she didn’t fall into the category of offenses where its recommended. We aren’t able to hold certain jobs in here because we fall into that category rather than be determined by other factors. We can’t have video visits, but I can be in a visitation room where there are minors running around how does this make sense? Upon my release as women offender with a not so pleasant label I am limited to where I can go to live if I don’t have a home plan with family essentially. Most if not all of the halfway houses in my area don’t accept SOs. I can’t go to homeless shelters but if I had a drug charge, I would have multiple choices of where to go. Or if I am required to attend a group session it is with males. And I may be the only female where are the groups just for women offenders? This society is dominated and catered to men, but women are unfortunately growing in the incarcerated population and being returned to society with little to no assistance. For all of these reasons listed above is why my voice is important to raise awareness, no potential or hope to change these issues and others. Without my voice myself and others would still be sitting in silence continuing to be forgotten, overlooked, and excluded. But no more. This is my voice being heard.
Written By: Jennifer Zukerman
Involvement
This world is evolving and ever-changing. “It’s a man’s world.” as the saying goes, which is only true if we allow it to be. Speaking up and advocating our thoughts/opinions as women is so important. As women we have so much to contribute. Women get things done with passion, desire, grit, mindfulness, drive, and the list go on. Just as any massive movements it takes as many voices as possible, as well as tons of action. It’s only halfway through the year yet us as a collective have made major progress. It will continue to grow as always. We must be persistent, hopeful, and resilient. We must never give up fighting. I admire all of the women who are part of the advocacy groups, working hard every single day to make a difference in reform. I constantly encourage women here at my facility to write and share their writings to anyone that will listen. Even if we never hear an answer, I still reassure women that it must not stop them from spreading their voice. It doesn’t mean that these organizations or individuals didn’t receive them or even read them. Our voice still matters no matter what! I will continue to write my heart out especially once I’m released to fight for this change. I know what it’s like to feel powerless not being able to go to rallies and meetings. Just to do a bit more. However, I will never feel truly powerless as long as I have paper and pen but most of all my voice and my drive to fight until the end. I know that I am only one person, but my voice matters and I tell all women that theirs does too. Our voice may be that voice to make the persuading decision one day. Reform is a work in progress, a process. With the help of all voices, especially women everywhere, we will continue to make a lasting impact!