Articles by Super User
Accent on Diversity: 2003 Report (12/03)
Evolution generates books, projects, and a radio play
Our 51st year of continuous publication has certainly been active. More than 60 features were published and distributed, and two previous articles won Project Censored recognition. Last year, TF moved to a quarterly schedule for its flagship periodical, while continuing to branch out into books and other media.
The year began with the release of Uneasy Empire, a manifesto on globalization and freedom by TF editor Greg Guma. It is currently being distributed by AK Press and Catholic Worker Books. As we go to press, our next book, Reign of Error, is at the printer. It’s a powerful collection of 110 illustrations by TF staff artist Dan Florentino, with accompanying text by 47 writers. Covering topics from media, globalization, crime, and big brother to oil, fundamentalism, the environment, and war, it’s a graphic guide for anyone who cares about the state and fate of the Earth. TF members will receive their advance copies before the end of the year; retail sales will begin in January 2004.
Making Waves: Network News (09/03)
Retreat Tackles Mission Control
In July, the Toward Freedom Board of Directors held a one-day retreat to redefine the organization’s mission and priorities for the coming years. Among the key topics were the relationship between TF’s primary publication and its various projects, as well as increasing the involvement of members and supporters. Led by consultant Rosi Gowdey, the board also covered fundraising, long-term strategic planning, and how to reach new constituencies. New vision and mission statements, currently being reviewed, are slated for adoption at the annual meeting later this year.
Prison Justice Alliance Takes Shape (09/03)
The Alliance for Prison Justice (APJ), a human rights project initiated by TF, is making significant strides in its effort to advocate for prisoners and their families. Launched with a February 2002 conference attended by over 200 people, the group now has a Coordinating Committee, growing membership, part-time staff, and several projects.
Last year, APJ worked with Vermont’s Prisoners Health Coalition to collect information about health issues. Forums were held around the state, and prisoner views were solicited. A report will be available soon. This June, a part-time office assistant, Jennifer Berger, was hired, but additional funding is needed to maintain the position in 2004.
Einstein’s Legacy (03/03)
In his book The Einstein File, Fred Jerome explains why and how J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI put together an 1800-page dossier on the greatest scientist of the time. Nominally about the past, his account contains important lessons for everyone living in the US today, and for many people elsewhere. First of all, Einstein advocated antimilitarism, internationalism, and socialism, causes that Hoover considered repugnant. But the scientist didn’t just harbor “unpopular” opinions; he actively and openly supported the causes he believed in. For example, he served as Honorary Chairman of the War Resisters League, was on the National Committee of the Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, and vigorously backed Henry Wallace’s 1948 Progressive Party presidential campaign.
Next Steps: Action for Prison Justice (03/02
On March 3, 2002, two weeks after a successful conference on prison issues in Burlington, about 40 people gathered in City Hall's Contois Auditorium to discuss the next steps in building an effective movement for prison justice. Enthusiastic support for a permanent organization, based on a coalition model, was expressed. After a brief introduction, the meeting became a two-hour brainstorming session that resulted in the formation of three working groups -- Mission and Goals, Advocacy, and Structure and Process. These groups will meet one or more times during the next month to develop their proposals.
The Alliance for Prison Justice (APJ) organizing committee will begin to discuss proposals on Wednesday, April 3, at 5 p.m. at the Prisoners Rights Office (in the Defender General's Office, 1416 Baldwin St., Montpelier). For APJ information, call (802) 657-3733, or e-mail [email protected].
Many thanks to the many groups and individuals who work on these important issues and have participated in Alliance organizing so far, including representatives of Burlington's Community Justice Center, American Friends Service Committee-Vermont, Vermont Protection and Advocacy, Inc., Vermont Human Rights Commission, Vermont Refugee Assistance, Prisoners' Rights Office, Governor's Commission on Women, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Toward Freedom, American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, Vermont-CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants), Prisoners' Health Coalition, Dismas House, Pax Christi, Small Potatoes, Green Mountain Support Group, the National Association of Rights, Protection and Advocacy, Restorative Justice of Central Vermont, and the many other organizations, in Vermont and throughout New England, who took part in the conference. We look forward to working together with them and other organizations in the future.
DEFINING THE PROBLEMS
At the Feb. 16 conference, about two-thirds of the 185 people who completed registration and interest forms indicated their primary areas of interest. Those mentioned most often included: 1) Reintegration (58%), 2) Mental Health (55%), 3)Out-of-state transfers (44%), Independent Oversight (41%), Probation and Parole (41%), and Segregation, solitary and sensory deprivation (39%). During the March 3 session, further discussion resulted in a more detailed list of problem and need areas, some or all of which may be addressed by the Alliance for Prison Justice: Inadequate and/or misguided programs and missing opportunities inside prisons, as well as in the parole and furlough (FSU) systems, including:
1) Lack of a medical and psychiatric units inside prisons;
2) Substance abuse treatment;
3) Educational opportunities for prisoners (nothing beyond high school level is available);
4) Programming for women, especially in Chittenden;
5) Work opportunities;
6) Lack of methadone;
7) Reintegration programs, including the lack of halfway houses;
8) Facilities designated as "detention centers" (such as St. Johnsbury, where the supposed maximum stay is 2 years) officially offer no treatment programs;
9) Forced participation in AA.
B. Economic and structural problems, including 1) a general lack of funding; 2) overcrowding; 3) privatized medical care, 4) a lack of professionalism.
C. Incarceration for probation, parole, and furlough violations, a significant cause of overcrowding and generally a misguided policy.
D. Needed legislative and administrative reforms, including: 1) custodial sexual misconduct legislation; 2) citizen oversight.
E. The need for alternatives to incarceration, especially for substance abuse and mental illness.
F. Youth issues: Children under SRS custody are dumped when they turn 18, often into the prison system. Decriminalizing underage drinking should be considered.
G. Overarching political problems, including: 1) a gap between progressive politics and actual practices; 2) class and race issues.
DEVELOPING OUR MISSION
The Mission Working Group will develop a mission and goals statement for review and revision, based on the expressed needs and problems, and suggestions made during the meeting. attend. The point person is Martin Pincus ([email protected], 802-223-6260).
Suggestions for the mission statement included:
BUILDING A MOVEMENT: direct involvement of and communication with prisoners, their families, ex-prisoners, and legislators; developing a base in every region of the state; a tough, assertive, active, and productive organization for change; transforming the system -- and our own minds; exploring the issue of reform vs. prison abolition strategies.
PRISONER ASSISTANCE: an effective mentoring program to reduce recidivism, using community resources for effective reintegration; enabling prisoners to take legal actions by sharing hard skills.
ADVOCACY: actively promoting humane treatment of prisoner and a criminal justice system that is less punitive and more treatment-based; re-humanizing "criminals", erasing the line between "us" and "them"; acting as a liaison with the State House -- in other words, being there to say what's really going on when legislators discuss prison issues, and especially when the DOC presents reports.
PROMOTING REFORMS: addressing problems associated with sending prisoners out of state, bringing them back, and connecting this issue to alternatives to incarceration, We believe that overcrowding isn't necessary, since many people are in prison for such minor offenses.
PUBLIC EDUCATION: effective communication with the public and lawmakers, connecting prison issues with concerns about crime in a more meaningful way. We want to make the point that prisons are not effective in reducing crime. Also, we hope to confront racism in Vermont with diversity training.
STRUCTURE & PROCESS
The Structure and Process Working Group is developing an organizational proposal. The point person is Arthur Saffold ([email protected], 748-1598). Others are welcome to join.
Suggestions for structure and process include:
STRUCTURE: having organizations and individuals as sponsors and members (Peace and Justice Center model); a statewide approach, with regional representation beyond Montpelier and Burlington; organizing by topic (youth, reintegration, etc.) or by region; make sure every facility is covered.
PARTICIPATION: caseworkers and prison officials; prisoners, former prisoners, family members, and friends; high school, college, and other students; native organizations; women's groups, e.g. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and victims rights advocates, connecting victims rights with treatment for the 'perpetrators'. We believe the punitive model doesn't help victims or protect people in the future. Also, utilizing existing resources for education and training, e.g. Dawnland Center, Fortune Society, Lawline, Vermont Legal Aid, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. No names in minutes without permission.
TASKS AND FUNCTIONS: research, fact finding, creating reports; oversight -- a many-pronged approach, including legislative; public relations and media; legal committee, with experts to educate families and prisoners; support group, with a networking function to connect families of prisoners; citizens oversight -- establishing a committee to make this happen, either independently or with state support; involving groups to handle disability and health issues, e.g. PHC, NAMI, VtP+A.
TAKING ACTION: ADVOCACY
The Advocacy Working Group is developing specific action proposals. The point person is Barry Kade ([email protected], 802-933-2490, or 802-933-2490). Suggestions for advocacy include:
PROJECTS: halfway houses - for women in Chittenden county, men and women in general; citizens oversight; direct support for poor families of prisoners; focus on large societal, systemic reforms and changes, connecting individual examples with broader problems; making the connections between capitalism's distortions and the prison system; approaches to abolition; changing public opinion on priority issues.
APPROACHES: research; bringing stories to the public and writing editorials; voter education; professional public and press relations; cultivate other activists, the press, judges, etc.; educate legislators, keeping the DOC 'honest'; sensitivity, protecting individuals while telling their stories.
TARGETS: legislators, DOC, other policy makers, the governor, and the general public. Our advocacy should incorporate a strategy for change, and address the need to know the personalities who can make a difference.
A FINAL NOTE
Now is the time to act! With a solid structure, clear priorities and public involvement, we can move into action very. Our network is growing. The next steps could make a real difference in the lives of many people and, hopefully, also begin to bring real justice to Vermont's prisons. Please join us.