Our Purpose
ANTIBLACKNESS AND MISOGYNOIR:
Despite the reality that Black cis and trans women, femmes, gender nonconforming people, and non-binary folks bear the brunt of incarceration, both as the fastest growing population in jails and as caregivers for our families and communities, there has been little discussion of the specific ways Black cis and trans women, femmes, gender nonconforming people, and non-binary folks experience the impacts of incarceration.
STATE FAILURE:
The cities and counties we live in are failing to support our people. Many of our Black Mamas and caregivers often become involved with the criminal punishment system as a result of efforts to cope with life challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and significant physical or behavioral health struggles, including those related to past histories of trauma, mental illness, or substance use. Once we post bail to free our Black Mamas and caregivers, we ensure that they are supported with what they need to resolve their cases and thrive in their communities. We don’t assume what people need; we ask. We offer all Black Mamas and caregivers short and long-term supportive services. Our supportive services include court reminders, childcare, grief counseling, groceries, transportation, ongoing housing assistance, employment, mental health support, and legal counsel.
WEAKENED TIES:
Black cis and trans women, femmes, gender nonconforming people, and non-binary folks—Black Mamas and caregivers—are often without support or a safety net when they are condemned to a cage: there is no one to come for them. Because so many women in jail are single parents, their incarceration aggravates already strained finances and support systems. Research has linked these parental stresses to incarcerated women’s re-incarceration. This also especially rings true for our transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary siblings, who face further harm and marginalization due to pervasive profiling, targeting, criminalization, and structural exclusion from housing, employment, and medical care that increases arrest rates and incarceration.