By Alesha Monterio

As we advocate for the lives of those inside, we rarely ask them what work needs to be done, what is most important to them or even if what we are doing is helpful, necessary and triumphant. We move through these campaigns, zooms and webinars; jumping from one action to the next rarely slowing down enough to see if, or what kind of difference has been made. Covid-19 has ravaged our prisons yet, it seems to be the only thing that has finally got people looking at the inhuman and illegal treatment of incarcerated people. There was a humanitarian crisis long before Covid-19 ever hit, the virus just gave the slave owners another tool of torture to keep the slaves in line.

Working with those on the inside we listened and found out what some of them are thinking and more importantly – what they want to know about what we are thinking. It’s time to change it up, find another way – it’s time to listen to those that we are advocating for. We ask that you take the survey in it’s entirety and answer 100% honestly. There is absolutely no right or wrong answers and the data received only helps if its genuine. Don’t think about how you think we want you to answer, none of these questions are meant to trip you up or confuse you, we are just trying to get a clear idea of the general feelings out there surrounding a matter than affects all of us, both inside and out.

”°•.˜”°•”°•.𝒜𝒹𝓋𝑜𝒸𝒶𝒸𝓎….𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒 “𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈” 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 “𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒” ”°•.˜”°• ”°•.˜”*°•

Note: The below survey is for California residents only. After you complete it, please distribute it to all organizations you are connected with and request they circulate it. Thank you.