Women continue to be innovative and skillful, with creative ideas – even while in prison, according to a National Public Radio (NPR) source. Vanessa Thompson had an idea for solving Indiana’s abandoned housing problem while watching television on her bunk in one of America’s oldest facilities — Indianapolis Women’s Prison. Thompson heard Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett discuss Indiana’s 10,000 abandoned houses, a problem resulting from factory closures and the mortgage crisis. Her idea was to have newly released inmates restore the … [Read more...] about A woman prisoner’s creative approach to housing
Women in Prison
Tourists unknowingly ask women prisoners for help
Inmates, at a women’s prison in Raleigh North Carolina do an unusual job, according to an article in USA Today. They spend their days answering an 800 call line. Inmates responding to calls on the 800-VISITNC phone line will answer questions about whitewater rafting, fairs, ski slopes, festivals, Civil War sites and wineries in the state’s 100 counties. The program was created in 1980, when tourism calls were handled by state employees or an automated service. Through the program, inmates learn telemarketing skills and callers can talk … [Read more...] about Tourists unknowingly ask women prisoners for help
The cost of reputation in prison: being transgender in prison
The purpose of earning a reputation in prison is for one reason—survival. However, the cost of survival may take extreme forms. “When I first came to prison in the 80s, being a transgender meant being someone’s property. We would be used to carry weapons, for sex, to wash and clean dirty workout clothes, but, in that we were also well protected, and it gave you a sense of security,” says Jarvis “Lady J” Clark, who has been incarcerated 30 years, serving a 27-year-to-life sentence for first-degree murder. “However, the … [Read more...] about The cost of reputation in prison: being transgender in prison
Female prisoners and advocates fight against breast cancer
The fight against breast cancer found advocates and support from women prisoners and staff at the California Institution for Women (CIW). The prison raised close to $2,500 at its 2018 Avon 39 “Making Strides against Breast Cancer ” walk. The American Cancer Society (ACS) partnered with Avon 39 for the prison event. The September 30, event was sponsored by the prison’s “Lockdown for a Cure team” that consisted of the women prisoners and staff. The women prisoners showed their support by participating in an institutional food … [Read more...] about Female prisoners and advocates fight against breast cancer
CIW hosts second annual Suicide Prevention Week
Women prisoners at the California Institution for Women (CIW) were given the knowledge to promote awareness at its second annual Suicide Prevention Week. CIW prisoners enjoying the day on the yard The September event started with the inmate Suicide Prevention Outreach Committee members distributing posters and passing out program pamphlets to inform the incarcerated women of the upcoming week’s events, according to the prison’s press release. CIW prisoners dunking a staff member “The inmates played games, spoke with community … [Read more...] about CIW hosts second annual Suicide Prevention Week