A Night to Last a Movement

On October 12th, hundreds of organizers, community members, formerly incarcerated people, and supporters of our movement gathered for an incredible night to celebrate 45 years of LSPC! It was unforgettable: we heard tributes from advocates such as abolitionist Angela Davis and Alameda County DA Pamela Price, looked back at the successes we've had since 1978, and honored our trailblazers Dorsey Nunn and Hamdiya Cooks-Abdullah.

We thank everyone who joined us for such a special occasion. There's no doubt that this event is our catalyst to end mass incarceration for the years to come. If you'd like to view photos and videos from the 45th Gala, you can click here.
 
Press Conference on New CDCR Regulations

In California's prisons, incarcerated individuals perform essential labor—fighting fires, constructing, engineering, and manufacturing—but receive a shockingly low wage, a mere $0.08 cents per hour. But on October 6, CDCR dared to make an announcement: a supposed "wage increase" to $0.16 cents per hour. This week, LSPC and the One Fair Wage Coalition will be hosting a Press Conference to push for fair pay and the chance for incarcerated workers to rebuild their lives. We call on you to join!

Date: Thursday, November 16
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: On Zoom, at bit.ly/LWFA2311
Volunteers at the FAM Center!

The FAM Center has been brimming with activity! We are thrilled to have volunteers to assist us in any capacity, whether in logging letters from currently incarcerated people, researching laws, or editing our communication materials!

To volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Form here.

Volunteer for Community Giveback!

Our Community Giveback is less than a month away on December 9th! If you would like to volunteer, we have a plethora of opportunities from face painting to bike loading!

To volunteer, please fill out the CG Volunteer Form here.
 
 
To be Free is to Relax!

The women of LSPC and other women from across the United States came together for the Free Her Conference. From October 13th to 15th, women, almost all who were formerly incarcerated, took the time to rest and relax in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We left our impact with two workshops: one on healing with pregnancy in prison, led by former LSPC Staffer Harriette Davis; and our 23' Policy Fellow Barbara Chavez led a training on the separation of children and reunification. We are grateful for such an opportunity, and we are coming back feeling reinvigorated!
Davis Vanguard: Governor Newsom Signs Measure Reducing Markups

Our co-sponsored bill SB 474 has been one of the highlights of criminal reform this legislative cycle. The Davis Vanguard interviewed our Family Unity Coordinator Ivana Cortez and other coalition members!

Photo by Andri Tambunan

Read Here
Policy for the Future

LSPC held our annual policy retreat from October 25th to the 26th. All staff members gathered together for two days of planning out the next year, including our Quest for Democracy, community forums, and summits! While we'll continue to advocate for ACA 8, we have much more to organize for on the horizon.

Above: Managing Director Tanisha Cannon leading a workshop on local organizing.

AOUON Chapters Reunify for Retreat

The day after our Gala on October 13th, we jumped right back into organizing with an AOUON Chapters Retreat hosted in Oakland, CA. AOUON members from across the nation came together to meet one another in person, learn from one another, and be in community together. After a long but impactful day of panels and workshops, members had a night of bowling and bonding!

Above: Members of AOUON listening to a panel.
 
Participatory Family Defense Group

Participatory family defense is a community organizing model for families to impact the outcome of cases and transform the traditional power structure in court. Our group supports families dealing with CPS involvement, especially when they have an open dependency case, with free resources and strategies for getting and keeping families together.

Dates: Every Wednesday
Times: 6:30-7:30pm
Call 510-488-1005 for more info!
 
Policy Fellow Applications Due in Three Weeks!

The Elder Freeman Policy Fellowship applications have opened for the 2023-2024 year. If you are formerly incarcerated and interested in becoming a policy advocate, apply by December 1st! This is a paid, full time position!

Right: 2022-23 Policy Fellows holding their Underground Scholars Policy Certification.

Apply Here
 
Community Outreach

Want to get involved in AOUON organizing and advocating for our community? Contact AOUON Outreach Coordinator John Cannon: john@prisonerswithchildren.org
415.625.7045 

AOUON Inside

Have a family member inside? 
Let them know they can contact us for any self-help legal information, sign up to receive the All of Us or None monthly newspaper, or become an AOUON Inside Member by contacting In-Custody Program Coordinator Jesse Burleson at jesse@prisonerswithchildren.org We also have participatory defense: contact our National Organizer Oscar Flores at oscar@prisonerswithchildren.org

Or write to: 
AOUON Inside Membership 
4400 Market Street 
Oakland, CA 94608 
 
Job Opportunity! Development Director

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) is a legal services support center that advocates for the civil and human rights of incarcerated parents, family members, former prisoners, and communities most affected by incarceration. We are seeking an experienced Development Director who brings an understanding for our work and a passion for social justice to our team of 27 staff members.

Click here for the full job description and requirements.
 
AOUON National Newspaper!

The AOUON Newspaper is a print publication sent to our members who are currently incarcerated. Digital versions of all the issues are available on our website here! 
 
The AOUON Newspaper, which comes out monthly, is a platform to amplify the voices and stories of our members.

If you’re interested in sharing a personal story—be it of triumph or hardship—please get in touch with the newspaper editor TaSin Sabir at tasin@prisonerswithchildren.org. 
 
AOUON National Chapters

Want to get involved in other communities across the country? Contact one of the many AOUON chapters:
 
Don’t see an AOUON chapter near you? Contact AOUON National Organizer Oscar Flores to start one: oscar@prisonerswithchildren.org
415.625.7048 

AOUON National Chapters
11/17: Friendsgiving

Every year, LSPC hosts a Friendsgiving potluck and letter-writing session to be in community with one another and with people on the inside!

When: Friday, 11/17 from 12pm-5pm
Where: Freedom and Movement Center, 4400 Market Street, Oakland CA, 94608
RSVP: By emailing Jesse at jesse@prisonerswithchildren.org

11/28: RAP Bill Webinar

Our Staff Attorney Kellie Walters along with law students from UC Berkeley will be hosting a webinar on the new law AB 2799, which clarifies the relationship between creative expression and the courts!

When: Wednesday, 10/18 at 12pm
Where: On Zoom
Watch at: bit.ly/AB2799Webinar
 
AOUON General Meeting

(Online & In-Person)
 
When:
3rd Thursday of every month, 6:30 P.M.

Where:
Online on Zoom: Link here
In-Person: The Freedom & Movement Center
4400 Market St., Oakland, CA 94608

All people and family members directly impacted by the criminal justice system are invited to join All of Us or None at our monthly meeting the 3rd Thursday of each month online or in Oakland, CA. We discuss local and state legislation, plan community events, and strategize how to advocate for our community in our own voices.  
 
For more information contact John Cannon: john@prisonerswithchildren.org / 415.625.7045
 
Messages for the Movement

"I don’t know how to save the world. I don’t have the answers or The Answer. I hold no secret knowledge as to how to fix the mistakes of generations past and present. I only know that without compassion and respect for all of Earth’s inhabitants, none of us will survive—nor will we deserve to."  - Leonard Peltier

Leonard Peltier has been incarcerated since 1977 and is one of the United State's longest-held political prisoners. Peltier is Native American and was an active member of the American Indian Movement. To learn more, visit here.

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