#2MILLIONVOICES
In September 2017, JLUSA began a pilot program to more deeply engage with currently incarcerated people through letter correspondence and information sharing. We connected with incarcerated people via personal and partner recommendations, and through the organizing of currently incarcerated supporters, prison-news-ads, and referrals.
In return, each letter received an introductory packet, which included information on our campaigns at the time, success stories from our Leading with Conviction™ alumni, and a response form that helped us to gather their insight on how to reduce the prison population.
The diverse and insightful responses were organized and tracked to reflect their major topics of concern. The many hundreds of responses that we received revealed the enormous potential of this project. Unfortunately, due to COVID and other changes, we have not been able to continue this work.
#2MillionVoices Vision
The vision of #2MillionVoices was to build support among our currently incarcerated brothers and sisters in facilities across every state in the country; creating real opportunities for our supporters to share their experiences with the correctional system; and lifting up their vision for a brighter future.
At JustLeadershipUSA, we believe that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. We know that meaningful reform to our racial and criminal justice systems cannot exist without the voices of those most harmed being at the forefront of the conversation. The two million people held in jails and prisons across the U.S., their families, loved ones, and communities, suffer daily harm at the hands of the system. This is not justice. Their voices and the voices of those previously incarcerated must light the way to a reimagined, more just society.
The goal of #2MillionVoices was to create sustained space for our currently incarcerated supporters to be active participants in the movement to end mass incarceration, reimagine justice in the United States, and achieve our vision of decarceration.
Looking Ahead
While #2MillionVoices is not currently active, many individuals still write to us who are already proven leaders within their facilities and communities — and we will continue to invest in, and to educate, elevate, and empower their leadership.
JLUSA appreciates receiving incarcerated individuals’ feedback on how we can best move towards the goal of cutting the prison population in half by 2030 (#halfby2030).
In the future, we hope to be able to relaunch #2MillionVoices and allow those who are usually cut out of the conversation to actively engage in policies that affect their lives. By establishing this as a resource for the directly impacted, we hope to help unite together to tackle systemic issues in our communities. Oppression thrives in silence. Together we will grow to build strong, diverse, representation in criminal justice reform.
This project has been informed by our supporters, neighbors, and the people most impacted by the scourge of mass criminalization that affects all of our communities. Together, our chorus of voices will chart the course toward decarceration.
