Nobody needs to tell Alisha Coleman what jail is all about. She has been there and knows what it’s like from the inside.
She spent time in the San Francisco County Jail in 2012. It was there that she was introduced to the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) through the FiredUp! Group.
Since her release, Coleman has been lending her voice and protest for change to California’s criminal justice system. She participated in this year’s “No New Jail Summit” in San Francisco and the national “Mama’s Day Bailout” project.
Coleman is a part of the Spitfire Speakers Bureau for the CCWP organization.
At the “No New Jail Summit” last April several social justice organizations came together to discuss ending gang injunctions, strategies to close the 850 Bryant Street jail in San Francisco and fighting the criminalization of migrants.
Coleman presented a workshop on working with people inside.
“The summit was a success,” she told the San Quentin News. “It’s always a plus when I’m able to speak my truth. When asked how I felt about the idea of no new jails, I actually fell silent for a moment.”
She spent time in the San Francisco County Jail in 2012. It was there that she was introduced to the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) through the FiredUp! Group.
Since her release, Coleman has been lending her voice and protest for change to California’s criminal justice system. She participated in this year’s “No New Jail Summit” in San Francisco and the national “Mama’s Day Bailout” project.
Coleman is a part of the Spitfire Speakers Bureau for the CCWP organization.
At the “No New Jail Summit” last April several social justice organizations came together to discuss ending gang injunctions, strategies to close the 850 Bryant Street jail in San Francisco and fighting the criminalization of migrants.
Coleman presented a workshop on working with people inside.
“The summit was a success,” she told the San Quentin News. “It’s always a plus when I’m able to speak my truth. When asked how I felt about the idea of no new jails, I actually fell silent for a moment.”
Coleman said she didn’t know how to answer the question.
“I had to visualize San Francisco with no jails or sources of confinement, and that actually wasn’t a pleasant thought,” she said. “As a woman who has been to prison, I wouldn’t wish those days on my worst enemy, but I still can understand why they were put into (that) place.”
Coleman added that a new justice system is needed, where jails and detention centers are not the only recourse for fixing a problem.
“If you take race and class out of the equation, my thoughts on this may be different from others,” she said.
The summit also held training and panel discussions that allowed the different organizations to share information to better address the interlocking issues of imprisonment, policing and prosecution in San Francisco.
In May, Coleman found herself on the frontline of bail reform. She spoke and raised money for imprisoned mothers in county jails so they might be home for Mother’s Day.
“I had to visualize San Francisco with no jails or sources of confinement, and that actually wasn’t a pleasant thought,” she said. “As a woman who has been to prison, I wouldn’t wish those days on my worst enemy, but I still can understand why they were put into (that) place.”
Coleman added that a new justice system is needed, where jails and detention centers are not the only recourse for fixing a problem.
“If you take race and class out of the equation, my thoughts on this may be different from others,” she said.
The summit also held training and panel discussions that allowed the different organizations to share information to better address the interlocking issues of imprisonment, policing and prosecution in San Francisco.
In May, Coleman found herself on the frontline of bail reform. She spoke and raised money for imprisoned mothers in county jails so they might be home for Mother’s Day.
Coleman partnered with the Essie Justice Group who made the event possible.
“The Mama’s Bail Out was a beautiful event that I was proud to be a part of,” she said. “I think anywhere from 10 to 20 women were bailed out of Alameda County.”
As for helping the women who were bailed out with reentry, Coleman said CCWP has an open-door policy for those who keep in contact with the organization.
“The re-entry programs out here are all the same,” Coleman said. “They lead folks to believe that the services are promising and in six months after completing a government funded training program you’ll find employment.” Coleman warned that it does not work that way.
“All lies,” Coleman said. “So for me, one of my goals here is to be able to provide re-entry help for those who re- main in contact with us.”
Coleman said they usually check on the women’s wellbeing with a phone call.
“We do provide a safe space for those who are willing to come in and do the work via phone, letters, or in person,” Coleman said. “If we can’t help, we have a list of resources that may help them along the way.”
Coleman is not naïve about the challenges she faces bring- ing awareness to combat new jail constructions, police shootings, the use of Tasers and bail reform.
“The fight against the justice system is an ongoing war, with many casualties as we lose battle after battle,” Coleman said. “Someone has to always be willing to stand in the place of a fallen solider. I choose to stand up and fight for our people locked away.
“The pen can sometimes be mightier than the sword for those of us locked away. Sometimes we can’t fight for ourselves, so there always has to be someone willing to help a fellow solider if they fall,” Coleman concluded.
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https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/national-study-shows-rural-jails-part-mass-incarceration-2/
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“The Mama’s Bail Out was a beautiful event that I was proud to be a part of,” she said. “I think anywhere from 10 to 20 women were bailed out of Alameda County.”
As for helping the women who were bailed out with reentry, Coleman said CCWP has an open-door policy for those who keep in contact with the organization.
“The re-entry programs out here are all the same,” Coleman said. “They lead folks to believe that the services are promising and in six months after completing a government funded training program you’ll find employment.” Coleman warned that it does not work that way.
“All lies,” Coleman said. “So for me, one of my goals here is to be able to provide re-entry help for those who re- main in contact with us.”
Coleman said they usually check on the women’s wellbeing with a phone call.
“We do provide a safe space for those who are willing to come in and do the work via phone, letters, or in person,” Coleman said. “If we can’t help, we have a list of resources that may help them along the way.”
Coleman is not naïve about the challenges she faces bring- ing awareness to combat new jail constructions, police shootings, the use of Tasers and bail reform.
“The fight against the justice system is an ongoing war, with many casualties as we lose battle after battle,” Coleman said. “Someone has to always be willing to stand in the place of a fallen solider. I choose to stand up and fight for our people locked away.
“The pen can sometimes be mightier than the sword for those of us locked away. Sometimes we can’t fight for ourselves, so there always has to be someone willing to help a fellow solider if they fall,” Coleman concluded.
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/prison-newspaper-100th-edition/
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/national-study-shows-rural-jails-part-mass-incarceration-2/
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/rise-inmate-graduation-dante-callegari/
