text:
February, 2014 Program
The Reformed Offender: A Valuable Community Asset
by Karima Amin
I am frequently asked why I work with people who have been convicted of committing crimes. Why do I find them and their families worthy of my time and concern? Why do I support people who have "served time" and who are now re-entering society? I suppose the simple answer is my understanding that I could just as easily be in their shoes. The criminal justice system touches all of us, some more than others, and the repercussions can be long lasting and life altering. Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. has established a Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders. We believe in redemption and we believe in second chances.
Our Program Director, George BaBa Eng, once said:
The reformed offender is no longer a threat to public safety. As reformed offenders, we realize that we will always owe a debt of atonement to our families and communities, because the history of crime and ignorance, that we once helped to perpetuate, requires our commitment to eradicate.
We have shown remorse, obtained college degrees, organized and coordinated prison programs aimed at reforming others. We have enormous resources of skills, knowledge, and experience to offer. We ask that you hold us accountable…"
There are scores of reformed offenders right here in Western New York who are hard working, law-abiding citizens who have embraced their second chances with the kind of commitment and positive energy that should inspire all of us to do a better job of treating people in a manner that is more humane and non-judgmental.
At the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. Several reformed offenders will describe what it has meant for them to get a second chance in Western New York. In addition to their stories, we will hear from people who are willing to share a few positive words about these reformed offenders' contributions to the Buffalo community. Reformed offenders are teachers, mentors, laborers, artists, entrepreneurs, counselors, medical assistants, restaurant workers, mechanics, barbers, religious leaders, office workers, and more. Their work weaves important threads into the fabric of a community that needs honest and enthusiastic men and women who believe that it is their responsibility to be contributors, even in a place where people may have nothing but fear and disdain for their return.
This meeting promises to be an inspirational gathering. Please join us on Monday, February 24, 2014, at 7:00 – 9:00pm at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. All monthly programs are sponsored by the Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more information: 716-834-8438; Karima Amin (
); BaBa Eng (firstname.lastname@example.com).
January 2014 Program
Solitary is Torture by Karima Amin
A new year always brings on thoughts and feelings of new energy, fresh ideas, and novel approaches. As Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. enters its ninth year of prisoner justice advocacy, 2014 will be a year of increased education and enhanced advocacy that serves to engage your input regarding local and statewide justice issues. We have always encouraged you to join us in advocating for justice, right here in Buffalo and beyond. January has us bringing some attention to the plight of those who are held in solitary (isolated) confinement. We have highlighted this issue before and we're doing it again to solicit your active involvement in challenging a prison policy that is cruel and inhumane. In a word: torture. Your voice, your signature, and your interest will help to move legislation that will end the kind of long-term solitary confinement that rots the mind, body, and spirit. We have known this for decades. The U.S. prison system incarcerates more of its people than any other country in the world and it also isolate more of its own citizens than any other country in history.
Prison administrators say that solitary confinement provides discipline and prevents violence. Several studies, examining the relationship between prison violence and isolated confinement, have shown that this is generally untrue. While the U. S. has quadrupled its incarceration rate in the last thirty years, work, education and therapeutic programs have been discontinued. While prison space has increased, opportunities for rehabilitation on the inside have decreased. This is a recipe for violence.
Currently, there are about 80,000 prisoners in solitary confinement. While there are some who are truly dangerous and who pose a serious threat, most are
violent or dangerous. Some have mental health issues that are not being dealt with. Some are escapees or suspected gang members. Long-term isolation is often misused, placing a person in solitary for years…even decades.
Not too long ago, some Americans accepted legalized segregation. Today, some Americans accept legalized torture in the form of isolated confinement. It has been proven that living with no human contact for an extended period, can lead to severe psychiatric harm. The Center for Constitutional Rights has this to say: "Today, tens of thousands of individuals across the country are detained inside cramped, concrete, windowless cells in a state of near-total solitude for between 22 and 24 hours a day. The cells have a toilet and a shower, and a slot in the door large enough for a guard to slip a food tray through. Prisoners in solitary confinement are frequently deprived of telephone calls and contact visits. 'Recreation' involves being taken, often in handcuffs and shackles, to another solitary cell where prisoners can pace alone for an hour before being returned to their cell. Ever since solitary confinement came into existence, it has been used as a tool of repression. While it is justified by corrections officials as necessary to protect prisoners and guards from violent superpredators, all too often it is imposed on individuals, particularly prisoners of color, who threaten prison administrations in an altogether different way. Consistently, jailhouse lawyers and jailhouse doctors, who administer to the needs of their fellow prisoners behind bars, are placed in solitary confinement. They are joined by political prisoners from various civil rights and independence movements."
Join us on Monday, January 27, 2014 for a full-day of workshops about Solitary Confinement. We urge you to join the fight against it. CAIC (Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement) will be in Buffalo to conduct these workshops . We urge you to attend. At 12:30, CAIC will be at Back to Basics, 1370 William Street in Buffalo. At 7:00, CAIC will present a program on Solitary Confinement at Prisoners Are People Too's regular monthly meeting at Pratt-Willert, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. To RSVP or ask questions, contact BaBa Eng,
, or Karima Amin, email@example.com. (716-834-8438)
November 2013 Program
Remembering Herman Wallace (1941-2013)
by Karima Amin
Recently Herman Wallace died, after spending more than 40 years behind bars in solitary confinement. He and his co-defendants, Robert King and Albert Woodfox ("The Angola Three"), had spent most of their time in prison at Louisiana State Penitentiary, aka "Angola," aka "The Farm." Back in 2005, when Prisoners Are People Too had its first meeting, we screened "The Farm: Angola USA," a film about Louisiana State Penitentiary, a prison farm located on a 18,000acre property which was previously a plantation. What happens there today is little different from what happened there when enslaved Africans worked the land. Disrespect, humiliation, mental and physical abuse, and murder is the order of the day.
Herman Wallace and his co-defendants were convicted of the 1972 stabbing murder of a prison guard, 23-year-old Brent Miller. Interestingly enough, there was no physical evidence linking them to the crime, DNA evidence was lost, and the testimony of the main eyewitness (a jailhouse snitch) was discredited. Miller's wife has repeatedly and openly stated that she does not believe that these men were responsible for the death of her husband. After 29 years, Robert King's conviction was overturned on appeal and he was released. King has worked tirelessly to build international recognition and support for the plight of "The Angola Three."
Albert Woodfox is still in solitary confinement.
Herman Wallace died on October 4, 2013.
The US government denies the existence of political prisoners. These are men and women who remain incarcerated for their political views and actions. Wallace and Woodfox were members of the prison's chapter of the Black Panther Party. As activists, they worked to improve conditions at Angola. They organized petitions and hunger strikes to protest segregation within the prison, and to end systemic rape and violence.
For decades, Herman Wallace endured the torture of solitary confinement and the lack of proper medical care, even after a diagnosis of liver cancer. His many attempts to present his case to the courts, proclaiming his innocence, were dismissed and ignored. On October 1, 2013, a federal court overturned his murder conviction, saying that his confinement had been unfair and unconstitutional. On October 2, dying of liver cancer, Mr. Wallace was finally taken from the prison by family and friends. On October 4, he joined the Ancestors.
At he next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, we will screen the award –winning documentary "Herman's House" which details a project that Herman Wallace participated in with filmmaker Angad Bhalla and artist, Jackie Sumell. The question was asked: "After forty years of living in a 6 foot by 9 foot prison cell for 23 hours a day, for more than forty years, what kind of house do you dream about?" The film details the symbolic meaning of Herman's dream house. Join us on Monday. November 25, 7:00-9:00pm (note time change), at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or
or BaBa Eng, firstname.lastname@example.com.
October 2013 Program
Who Will Be Our Next Erie County Sheriff?
by Karima Amin
As we move forward to November 5, Election Day, I wonder how many of us are prepared to cast an educated ballot for the office of Sheriff? Given the problems we have witnessed at the Erie County Holding Center, during the last 8 years, while Sheriff Timothy Howard has been in office, makes it imperative for us to stop and take a serious look at what has been accomplished under his watch. All political candidates have mottos and watch words which define who they are, what they do, and what they plan to do. Sheriff Howard defines himself as one who exhibits "a reputation for hard work and integrity." There are some who agree with this wholeheartedly and others who have good reason for challenging this definition.
Are you an educated constituent? Do you know who is running this time for the office of Sheriff? Do you know what the Sheriff's duties are? In a recent interview, Sheriff Howard said, "My reputation speaks of hard work, honesty and straightforwardness. I support the constitution and all that it stands for."
Those of you who have supported Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. and the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition may not be in agreement with what Sheriff Howard says about himself. What is more important, I believe, is not what he says about himself, but what he has done to improve our holding center in Buffalo and correctional facility in Alden. There have been no suicides this year but there have been 7 since the last election. The holding center has a "sparking new" reception area but what has been done to improve conditions for those who find themselves confined there? If the compliance reports being compiled there by the Department of Justice were shared with the community, perhaps we would know what is being improved and what the deadlines are and if the Sheriff is working with the Department of Justice and the Commission of Correction to provide the kind of professional and humane treatment for which we have been advocating. No candidate is really talking about the holding center and for many of us, conditions at he holding center are a major issue and central to this election.
This time, Sheriff Howard is facing two candidates: Richard "Dick" Dobson, the Democratic candidate, and Bert Dunn, of the Law and Order Party. Both have worked for the Sheriff's Department. Dobson says that ongoing problems at the holding center have had a negative impact on the morale of deputies "who put their lives on the line for the citizens of Erie County every day…. it is time to start putting policies into effect that will more closely protect our deputies…" Dunn, who lost to Dobson in the primary, hasn't said anything about the holding center. In a recent interview with "New WNY Politics," Sheriff Howard said, "One thing that some people don't understand who have criticized us for our handling of health and mental health related matters in the Holding Center is that, by law, matters involving health, mental health, and upkeep of the county jails, outside of day to day maintenance, are the responsibility of the County Executive, not the Sheriff."
So there you have it: We have a candidate who is obviously more concerned about the deputies than the inmates. We have a loser, still in the running, who has nothing to say about the holding center. And we have an incumbent, Sheriff Timothy Howard, who has been cited by the New York State Commission on Correction for gross negligence and incompetence. A Sheriff who says, "It's not my job."
Whether these men show up at the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too or not, we need to have a discussion about conditions at the holding center and what we expect in the future. The community must make its demands clear and hold our elected officials accountable.
Please join us for the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, which will be held on Monday, October 28, 2013, 6:30-8:30pm at 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. This program is sponsored by The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more information: Karima Amin,
; BaBa Eng,
. 716-834-8438.
September 2013 Program
42 Years and Counting
by Karima Amin
Every year, in the month of September, Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. plans for its
monthly meeting to re-visit the Attica Rebellion of 1971, when a courageous group of incarcerated men took the initiative on
September 9 to stand up for the few constitutional rights and human rights that incarcerated people have in the United States. They seized control of the prison, Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, NY, took 42 staff people hostage, put forth their grievances and demands, and in the end, on September, 13, 29 prisoners and 10 officers were killed in a massacre which occurred when Gov. Rockefeller called in the NYS Police Troopers and the NY National Guard to quell the uprising.
42 years and counting….and conditions at Attica haven't improved much since 1971 and prisoner justice seems to be an area of advocacy that only appeals to the diehard few who believe that "prisoners are people too." So many of us, unfortunately, are stuck in a place that only allows for us to see the stereotypes that define how we view a group of people known as felons, offenders, and lawbreakers. They are people….2.4 million in America, which has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world. Everybody knows at least one confined person. Every family has at least one person under correctional supervision. We shun these men, women, and children and demean them and too often believe that
could never end up behind bars. There are people in our prisons and jails today that never thought that life's circumstances would take them there. The 1200 prisoners who rebelled at Attica in 1971 had tried to make their grievances known through the proper channels by writing to officials who were responsible for medical care, and adequate food and clothing, but they were ignored and there was no redress. They complained about pervasive physical abuse and racially discriminatory treatment from guards. They hoped that Gov. Rockefeller would be concerned enough to come to Attica for the negotiations. The Governor refused and sent in firepower instead with drastic results.
In 2011, the University at Buffalo Law School and its Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy convened a conference to commemorate the 40 anniversary of the Attica uprising. This conference brought together prisoner advocates, legislators, policymakers, corrections professionals, activists and people who were on the front lines of the conflict, on both sides. This 2-day event reminded us, "Attica is all of us" and afforded us an opportunity to examine Attica's legacy. Prof. Teresa A. Miller, an Associate Professor of Law at UB, who was the chief architect of this conference, will be PRP2's guest speaker this month. Prof. Miller is a filmmaker, currently working on "Attica: The Bars That Bind Us," which is scheduled for release this Fall. Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will meet on Monday, September 30, 6:30-8:30 at the Pratt Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or
or G. BaBa Eng, firstname.lastname@example.com.
(Photo above: Our guest speaker, 09-30-13, Prof. Teresa A. Miller from University
at Buffalo Law School.)
August 2013 Program
by Karima Amin
Black August: Remembering Jonathan Jackson
(Photo: Our guest speaker.
Bro. Mujahid Farid)
Every year at our August meeting, PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO, INC. takes time to acknowledge Black August, remembering those who have exhibited a "spirit of resistance," defying those social, civil, and political barriers that have been designed to repress our conscious efforts to be self-determining and free. Past programs have referred to "Freedom Fighters," some currently incarcerated for decades and others who joined the Ancestors long ago, whose names remind us that all is not well in Amerikkka.
In the past, we have looked at
, an acronym for
gram . This was a series of undercover and sometimes illegal acts conducted by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), aimed at discrediting and disrupting domestic political organizations. Just to name a few, the FBI infiltrated the following in an attempt to end their influence: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Toure) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), MOVE, the Black Panther Party (BPP) and the Black Liberation Army (BLA). Working in collaboration with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and the NSA (National Security Agency), COINTELPRO's reach was far and wide but was especially directed at Black leadership. It's interesting to note that the leaders were young, in many cases, in their 20's and 30's, and that their following was often comprised of youth, some in their teens, ready to fight for justice. Some lost their lives in the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.
Past programs have highlighted activist Fred Hampton, deputy chair of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party who was assassinated at the age of 21; Bobby Hutton, the Black Panther Party's first recruit at the age of 16 who was murdered by police just a few days before his 18 birthday; and George Jackson, author of
Soledad Brother
Blood in My Eye
, murdered by prison guards at the age of 29. This month, we'll take some time to remember George's brother, Jonathan who lost his life at age 17 in a fatal and futile attempt to negotiate freedom for George on August 7, 1970. George was assassinated just a few days later.
Jonathan, like so many of today's youth, had a rebellious spirit. He was inspired by George's spirit of resistance and revolutionary fervor but he lacked the kind of instruction that could have channeled the "warrior" in him. Jonathan was a victim of circumstance, without the kind of guidance that could have saved his life. Many of our young ones today, unfortunately, are misguided and misdirected victims of circumstance. They often lack the kind of nurturing and discipline that could save them and add value to their lives. Too many of our youth are criminalized at birth and throughout their lives by the systemic racism that leads to poverty, mis-education, poor nutrition, substandard housing, and stop-and-frisk policies that have been applied to first graders.
What is the state of juvenile justice today? What measures have been put in place to insure that our children will have full and productive lives? Does the school to prison pipeline really exist? Our guest speaker, Brother Mujahid Farid, a Soros Justice Fellow, is a staff member of the Correctional Association of NY. While Brother Farid is quite familiar with the plight of aging prisoners, he is also quite knowledgeable about issues related to juvenile justice. He will address these and other important questions.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 26, 2013, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, 6:30-8:30pm. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For more information: Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or
; or BaBa Eng,
July 2013 Program
by Karima Amin
Aging in Prison
Everyone loves grandma…and grandpa too. The love and respect that is accorded to them goes without question. Some of this love is extended to Moms and Pops…and even to elder Uncle John and Aunt Betty. But when incarceration enters the mix, love and respect often disappear and attitudes change. In fact, the general populace rarely thinks of aging prisoners, incarcerated seniors, who may be parents and/or grandparents. Incarceration has a way of making people invisible; they are "out of sight/out of mind," and seemingly unworthy of anyone's care or concern. Furthermore their voices are rarely heard and their humanity is literally denied. Who are these aging individuals in prison?
(Photo: Our guest speaker,
Laura Whitehorn)
Early last year, Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. presented a program, "Old Behind Bars," which highlighted the importance of our considering the needs of our graying prison population. What we learned from a recent Human Rights Watch report is that: ·Nearly 10% of state prisoners are serving a life sentence. 11.2% have sentences longer than 20 years.
·The number of state and federal prisoners, age 65 or older, grew at 94 times the rate of the overall prison population between 2007 and 2010.
·Long sentences today mean that many current prisoners will not leave prison until they become extremely old, if at all.
·Many older prisoners remain incarcerated even though they are too old and infirm to threaten public safety if released.
·While some states are moving forward to change the rules about mandatory minimum sentences and parole, the need for special medical care and hospice care for the elderly in prison is rapidly growing.
·Some seniors behind bars have served their time and have demonstrated that they are parole-ready and parole-eligible. Some are political prisoners who are being held because of their political beliefs and actions. Their excessive confinement serves no good purpose.
The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will feature guest speakers from New York City who are spearheading a campaign, R.A.P.P., which supports the Release of Aging People in Prison. Mujahid Farid, a Soros Justice Fellow, is a staff member of the Correctional Association of NY and the Lead Organizer of R.A.P.P. "Farid's work will, in part, highlight prisons' failures to appropriately address the geriatric and healthcare needs of aging people and the tremendous fiscal costs associated with keeping the elderly in prison. But for Farid, the main focus will be increasing opportunities for release." (Quote from Correctional Association website.) He will be joined by Laura Whitehorn, a R.A.P.P. Organizer and social justice advocate who spent 14 years in federal prison for the "Resistance Conspiracy" case, a political case involving actions against racism and colonialism. Since her 1999 release, she has worked against mass incarceration and worked for the release of political prisoners. Brother Farid and Sister Whitehorn may be joined by Brother Salahuddin A. Rashid who is an Affiliate Organizer of R. A.P.P.
Our guest speakers understand the importance of addressing the health/medical needs of our elders in prison and also the importance of bringing them home, so that those who are able, such as our Director of Programs, George BaBa Eng, and our Corresponding Secretary, Charles "Chuck" Culhane, can share the benefits of their wisdom, skills, and experience with the outside community.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, July 29, 2013, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, 6:30-8:30pm. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For more information: Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
June 2013 Program
Yes, BaBa is Here!
by Karima Amin
June is a big month for celebrations…graduations, weddings, Fathers Day, Juneteenth and more. In June, Prisoners Are People Too will celebrate two milestones. First, we will celebrate the organization's 8th anniversary. For 8 years, we have provided critical information about issues defined by criminal injustice. Prison issues, that affect all of us, whether we realize it or not, have been the subject of several programs that have enlightened and inspired our community work.
If you're wondering about the title of this article, wonder no more. On June 24, when we celebrate our 8th anniversary, we will also celebrate the homecoming of George BaBa Eng, following 36 years of imprisonment. BaBa, who is PRP2's Program Director, will be our honored guest speaker. BaBa says: "I believe in the ethic of working, always towards the greatest good, for our people, to repair, rebuild and restore our community. I know that God will open doors and allow us to get what we need to get the work done. I look forward to sharing my mind, my spirit and my labor with you. May God continue to bless and secure the people of Buffalo in all that is right and good. Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, and work in my behalf."
This past year, we were honored to have Mr. Arthur O. Eve as a guest speaker. He was the former Deputy Speaker of the NYS Assembly who served as an observer and negotiator in the wake of the 1971 Attica Prison Rebellion. Mr. Eve inspired a full house at our meeting last August, when we took time to remember, as we do every year, "Attica is all of us!" The challenges of reentry, domestic violence, aging in prison, veterans as prisoners, children of incarcerated parents, voting rights, and stigma, are just a few of the subjects that have been highlighted. We are exceedingly grateful to the wonderful speakers who have volunteered their time to inform and inspire. We have had a good year with two successful conferences: Family Empowerment Day (October 2012) and Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents (March 2013). Also, we were participants on several major panels hosted by the Social Justice Committee of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, the NYS Drug Policy Alliance, and the McMillan Empowerment Enterprise at Buffalo State College's Burchfield Penny Art Center. In addition, we are growing. We now have two chapters in Erie and Niagara counties. Claudia Racine is the Niagara County facilitator.
Sponsored by the Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng, this meeting on June 24, 2013, will be at the Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, 6:30 – 8;30pm. Come join the celebration! (Need more info? Karima Amin, 716-834-8438; email@example.com.)
(That's BaBa in the photo above, front and center, shown here with friends at Great Meadow Prison, Comstock, NY.)
May 2013 Program
Realities of Reentry
by Karima Amin
As Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. moves closer to its eighth anniversary, we are moved to take a look at a topic that we have considered several times before. It's a topic that touches all of us, although those who are formerly incarcerated are most affected because they live with the realities of reentry day and night. Some find reentry to be difficult at best while others think of it as a nightmare, worse than being in prison. I think that most, however, despite the restrictions imposed by parole, really understand that reentry, though challenging, offers an opportunity for a second chance.
Our guest speaker, Mr. Jerome Wright, "came home" in 2009. His transition wasn't easy but he was fortunate to have a supportive family that helped to make his transition as smooth and productive as possible. As a result, he is an asset to his family and to this community. Despite his intelligence and positive transformation, family reunification was replete with issues that had to be resolved. He learned that dealing with the realities of reentry requires patience and a desire to learn new things, no matter how long or short the period of incarceration has been.
As a successful reentry candidate, Mr. Wright is now in a position to talk about navigating parole successfully. He is well equipped to discuss the challenges that have an impact on an individual's promising return to the "free world." Mr. Wright has served as the Reentry Program Director for Back to Basics Outreach Ministries. He is the author of a column entitled, "The Realities of Reentry," which appeared in several issues of the C.P.R. (Coalition for Parole Restoration) newsletter. He is currently the Site Supervisor for the Center for Employment Opportunities. He is a valued member of our community who has mentored and counseled others to "do the right thing."
Don't miss Mr. Jerome Wright's presentation at the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., on
Monday, May 20, 2013
at the Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, at 6:30-8:30pm. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or
: We usually meet on the last Monday of the month but May 29 is a National Holiday.)
April 2013 Program
justice: Perception or Reality?
by Karima Amin
Last month's meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., took an in depth look at the stigma that is generated by a criminal conviction. This month we will consider the stigma that may have some bearing in a trial court.
Judges play many roles. They interpret the law, assess the evidence presented, and control how hearings and trials unfold in their courtrooms. Most important of all, judges are impartial decision-makers in the pursuit of justice. We have what is known as an adversarial system of justice - legal cases are contests between opposing sides, which ensures that evidence and legal arguments will be fully and forcefully presented. The judge, however, remains above the conflict, providing an independent and impartial assessment of the facts and how the law applies to those facts. The judge imposes appropriate fines or sentences.
Lawyers are expected to represent their clients with undivided loyalty; keep their clients' confidences; represent their clients competently; represent their clients within the bounds of the law; and put their clients' interests ahead of their own.
While lawyers and judges have certain responsibilities, and while we have certain expectations of them, what happens in reality? Is there truly "justice for all?" Is it possible for a decision to be tainted by stigma? What protected rights do we have in a court of law? There are those in community who view our criminal justice system as a system of criminal injustice. Why?
Our guest speaker, the Honorable Judge E. Jeannette Ogden, a judge in Buffalo City Court, will discuss the above and answer your questions. We are honored to have her join us in enhancing our understanding of the court's power and our rights. Well known for being open, honest, compassionate and fair, Judge Ogden is well respected in this community. We appreciate her willingness to volunteer her time and energy in the interest of community education.
The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will take place on Monday, April 29, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Pratt-Willlert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of PRP2, Inc. programs. For further information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
March 2013 Program
Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. Talks About Stigma
by Karima Amin
Since its inception, most Prisoners Are People Too monthly meetings have dealt with the stigma of a criminal conviction in some way. We have talked about the stigma that touches the family members of an incarcerated person. We have examined the stigma that follows a formerly incarcerated person who is seeking employment or housing. We have dealt with the stigma that rears its ugly head when the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction are considered. These may include disenfranchisement, disentitlement of education loans, loss of a professional license or drivers' license, or eviction from public housing. We have considered the stigma that defines a community when those outside of the community fail to understand the community's strengths as well as its deficits. Stigma means different things to different people in various situations but it mostly means attaching shame or disgrace to something or someone regarded as socially unacceptable. Oftentimes, stigma is based on misconceptions, stereotypes and labeling. When someone is coming home from prison, and they have paid their debt to society, they all to often find that second chances are in short supply and that ignorance has a tendency to paint all formerly incarcerated people with the same brush.
For most formerly incarcerated people, reentry is an uphill battle. The roadblocks are daunting and assimilation back into society can be extremely frustrating. Most frustrating, in my opinion, is the stigma we attach to the process of reentry with our unwillingness to see those who have served time in prison as people, deserving of an opportunity to become assets, fully productive contributors to society.
At the next monthly meeting of Prisoners Are People Too we will look at the stigma associated with a criminal conviction. The short documentary being screened is, "The Long Shadow of Incarceration's Stigma," produced and distributed by the "Think Outside the Cell Foundation." The film shows how frustrating reentry can be when society fails to help formerly incarcerated people who are sincerely striving to do well, in moving forward with their lives. Our guest speaker will be Ms. Tracy Fleming who has worked in the criminal justice system since 1996. She has been with the Buffalo Urban League's Re-Entry Program since its inception 5 years ago. Currently, she is the Coordinator of the Buffalo Urban League's Re-Entry Programs and Services. Ms. Fleming understands what it means to be stigmatized and marginalized and she is a true advocate of second chances, working tirelessly to remove barriers faced by those returning home from incarceration.
Our next meeting will be March 25, 2013 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street, in Buffalo, from 6:30-8:30pm. See the film and hear the speaker and advance your understanding of stigma and what can be done to eradicate it.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng, support PRP2 programs. For more information, call 716-834-8438 or e-mail Karima Amin at email@example.com.
February 2013 Program
Prison World Stories: Three Women Speak
by Karima Amin
Most of you know that I am a storyteller. It's what I do and it's who I am. I love stories and storytelling. Jackie Torrence, a very famous storyteller, now deceased, once told me that a story is like a prayer. I believe this; stories have power. For three decades I have shared stories of all kinds and I've listened to stories since my childhood that have made me laugh and cry. I have read and heard stories that have inspired me, captured my imagination, and shaped my worldview. In sharing stories with both children and adults in many venues, I have reached a better understanding of who I am and what I value. I have never forgotten that it was storytelling that first took me into the prisons.
I went in as a guest speaker, telling stories and delivering motivational speeches. In 1994, the year that I resigned from teaching in the Buffalo Public Schools, WBLK-FM invited me to share fables on the air. I started receiving letters from prisoners who were responding to the fables, finding hope, comfort and inspiration in them. My eyes were opened and I became more concerned about what was happening in the prisons, and subsequently, in our communities. Letters from prisoners and my prison visits opened my mind and heart to a new world. My new understanding led me to the creation of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc.
I have heard many stories at our monthly meetings and they have all helped to educate our attendees and me. These important stories have healed lives and decreased stigma. These important stories have opened doors and windows of understanding. These important stories have brought people together to work for the common good. At the next monthly meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, three wonderful women will share important stories. Hopefully, their stories will give you to a better understanding of the prison system and its impact on families.
One formerly incarcerated woman will share her story of the difficulties she's facing now, trying to establish a transportation service that will help prison families visit their incarcerated loved ones. The State provided a free service for decades. This service was discontinued in the spring of 2011. It has been statistically proven that keeping families together reduces recidivism. Why would the State keep loved ones apart?
One woman has been married to an incarcerated man for 12 years. They met when she was a worker in her church's prison ministry. He was the prison chaplain's clerk. He is preparing for his first parole board appearance and she must be wife, supporter, advocate, and activist. How is she managing with limited support from family and friends?
One woman is married to a man who has a life sentence. They have been married for nearly 13 years. How has she managed to raise their seven children and keep the marriage intact? How does she take care of herself, mentally and spiritually?
These are important stories and we need to hear them. Telling our stories makes us stronger. Telling our stories brings us together. Telling our stories helps us to make meaning of our lives. Our stories matter.
The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will be Monday, February 25, 2013, 6:30-8:30pm, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. This program is sponsored by The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more information: 716-834-8438; email@example.com.
January 2013 Program
Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. Resumes Monthly Meetings
on January 28
by Karima Amin
Although the work of Prisoners Are People Too is ongoing, following past practice, meetings were suspended for one month. On Monday, January 28, monthly meetings will resume at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, at 6:30pm – 8:30pm. We will briefly review the activities of 2012 and consider the work ahead. The following local, state, and national issues are at the top of our list of concerns for 2013:
1. ongoing improvements at our county jails
2. re-establishing bus transportation to state correctional facilities
3. continuing to push for parole reform with the SAFE Parole Act
4. improving the lives of children who have incarcerated parents
5. joining the NYS campaign for Medical Marijuana
6. supporting the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act.
Actually, our list of concerns is a little longer than this and we need dedicated hands and hearts committed to changing a system that requires our full attention and sincere desire to fight injustice. While you may initially feel that the above list of concerns has nothing to do with your life, take another look. Your tax dollars are being used to support a system that has nothing to do with public safety or rehabilitation.
Come to our meetings and learn how criminal justice is generally meted out as criminal injustice and social justice is not a fact, but a worthy goal. Join us and be part of an organization that honors "justice for all." This program is sponsored by the Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438; firstname.lastname@example.com.
November 2012 Program
Looking Forward to 2013
by Karima Amin
On Monday, November 26, Prisoners Are People Too will hold its last monthly meeting for the year. Following past practice, there will be no December meeting. On Monday, January 28, 2013 we'll continue to screen outstanding documentaries, invite knowledgeable and inspiring speakers, and consider critical issues related to criminal INjustice and prison reform.
Last month, due to safety precautions related to "Super Storm Sandy," our meeting was canceled for the first time in its 7-year history. The film that would have been screened in October, featuring Mr. Arthur O. Eve, Sr., will be shown this month. Additionally, there will be a discussion of our highly successful Family Empowerment Day Conference and an equally successful voter registration drive spearheaded by the Advisory Chair of Prisoners Are People Too, Rev. Eugene L. Pierce. Thanks to his persistence, more than 100 people confined at the Erie County Correctional Facility were registered to vote.
It's not too early to say, "Happy Holidays!" We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to meeting with you in 2013 and continuing our advocacy for prisoner justice. In the meantime, please join us on Monday, November 26 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
October 2012 Program
Looking Back…
by Karima Amin
Two months ago, we were honored to have Mr. Arthur O. Eve, Sr., former Deputy Speaker of the NYS Assembly, come to speak at a regular meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. It has already been stated in a previous column that the gathering was a night to remember and it was a night when we took time to remember the legacy of Black August and the 1971 Attica Rebellion.
Mr. Eve remembered how he felt, going into Attica Prison when Governor Rockefeller had refused to do so. Our second speaker, Mr. Thomas Robinson, Sr., remembered the pride he felt in being the first Attica inmate to receive a college education as a result of the rebellion. A third speaker, Mr. Nate Buckley, took time to share the words of Malcolm X, George Jackson, and others, remembering how their words have educated us and have called us to action. Mrs. Sheila Hayes, our fourth speaker, took time to remember the work of the Black Panther Party and it's positive impact on the Black community. Sheila's husband, Robert "Seth" Hayes, is a political prisoner who was a member of that organization forty years ago. He has served his time, he has been a model prisoner, and still he is being held, we feel, for his political views and for the work he did with the BPP many years ago. While this was an evening of reflection, it was also an evening of reaffirming the importance of the work that we are doing today in the realm of prisoner justice advocacy.
Our Advisory Board Chair, Rev. Eugene Pierce, captured that meeting in photos and on video. With the assistance of Mr. Cardinale Greene, from Buffalo's Apollo Media Center, an edited version has been created and it will be screened at the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. This 90-minute film will have you reflecting on what it means to live in a place where "…liberty and justice for all" is proclaimed daily, while the exact opposite is a demoralizing fact of life.
Prisoners Are People Too will meet on Monday, October 29, 2012, 6:30-8:30 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. This program is sponsored by The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more information: 716-834-8438; firstname.lastname@example.com.
September 2012 Program
by Karima Amin
Forty-one years have passed, since the 1971 Attica Rebellion put a spotlight on the dehumanization that defined America's prison system. The world witnessed an unforgivable truth about this country that some formerly considered the human rights champion of the world. The truth said otherwise. This is a country that allows human beings in confinement to be dehumanized, traumatized, and demoralized, unmercifully. In 1971, those who lived that truth, behind the walls of Attica, stood up and revolted. Thanks to Governor Rockefeller, part of the end result was a massacre that took 39 lives.
At the last meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., our special guest speaker was Mr. Arthur O. Eve, Sr., former Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly. In 1971, he was the only one of our State lawmakers willing to go into Attica to negotiate with the prisoners. Today, Mr. Eve is 79 years old and not in the best of health. We were honored to have him in our midst, at a meeting that was, so far, the best attended this year. Formerly incarcerated men came out to see him, hear him, and shake his hand. Others came to thank him for the EOP and HEOP programs that he created, which allowed them to further their education. Still others came to see a true hero. As Mr. Eve talked about the horrors of Attica, he urged all of us to remain diligent in our pursuit of justice. He said, "Sometimes it's hard for me to talk about Attica, but I have to. It's important for us to remember and to never stop working for justice. Some things haven't changed since 1971."
Additional speakers at that meeting were Mr. Thomas Robinson, Sr. who was at Attica in 1971 and who was one of the first to get a college education after the rebellion; Mr. Nate Buckley, who has been a justice advocate and supporter for political prisoners since his teen years; and Mrs. Sheila Hayes, justice advocate and wife of political prisoner Robert Seth Hayes.
At the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., on Monday, September 24, at 6:30pm-8:30 pm, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, we will be screening a film about the uprising at Attica. We have done this before, showing a number of documentaries, some better than others. We have rarely shown movies made for TV or Hollywood, but this month's film, a docudrama made for TV, is exceptionally well done. "Against the Wall," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Clarence Williams III is bound to promote discussion.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng, support PRP2 programs. For more information, call 716-834-8438 or e-mail Karima Amin at email@example.com.
August 2012 Program
Remembering Black August and the Attica Rebellion
by Karima Amin
Since the inception of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., we have taken time every year to devote two or more meetings to acknowledging "black revolutionary consciousness" (George Jackson, Blood In My Eye), the plight of our political prisoners (regardless of gender or race), and the 1971 Attica Rebellion. We remind ourselves that the work that we do in the interest of prisoner justice isn't always accepted or respected. We remind ourselves that there were many others before us, confined and in the so-called "free world," who stood up and spoke out, waging battle after battle against injustice. We remind ourselves daily that our work is important and part of our job is too make sure that the community has some knowledge of the history that compels us to do what we do.
Officially, since August 1979, this month has been used to focus on the oppressive treatment of our brothers and sisters confined to state prisons throughout the USA. Most are being held in Security Housing Units (S.H.U.), where they have had to endure dehumanizing treatment for decades. We say their names and we acknowledge their strength and we re-commit ourselves to a fight that started long before we joined the fray and that may continue long after our demise. We fight because it is the right thing to do. At our next meeting, we'll commemorate the life and death of political prisoner George Jackson who was assassinated by prison guards at San Quentin (Marin County, CA) on August 21, 1971. In addition to remembering George Jackson, Nate Buckley, a longtime PRP2 supporter will talk about the struggles of Robert "Seth" Hayes, a US political prisoner, a decorated Viet Nam War veteran, and former member of the Black Panther Party who has been incarcerated since 1974. We have invited Sheila Hayes, Seth's wife, to join us in acknowledging her husband's life and spirit of resistance.
In addition to remembering our political prisoners, two additional guest speakers will highlight our annual effort to remember Attica. Mr. Arthur O. Eve, former Deputy Speaker of the NYS Assembly, whose compassion for prisoners was
recognized in the late
1960 's, will join us. During his tenure, Mr. Eve did not fear political backlash or avoid prison reform issues. He served as an observer and negotiator in the wake of the 1971 Attica Prison Rebellion. He was critical of Gov. Rockefeller's decision to ignore the prisoners' requests and to pursue the tactical measures that resulted in the deaths of 28 or 29 or 31 prisoners (depending on the reference) and 9 or 10 hostages.
Our second guest speaker will be Mr. Thomas Robinson, a PRP2 member who was at Attica in 1971 and who was one of the first prisoners to earn a college degree following the uprising. Among the prisoners' demands was the opportunity to pursue an education. Mr. Robinson earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. He will talk about the uprising and its aftermath.
Prisoner Are People Too, Inc. will meet on Monday, August 27, 2012 at 6:30 – 8:30pm at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng will sponsor this meeting. For more information: Karima Amin, 716-834-8438, email@example.com.
July 2012 Program
Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act
by Karima Amin
He had abused her for six of the nine years that they had been together. He slapped, punched, and choked her. He called her the most derogatory names and isolated her from family and friends. He said he did it because he loved her. One day, while struggling with him, she stabbed him in the chest, killing him with a letter opener. Their three young children witnessed the incident. Now she's serving 20 to life. Similar scenarios are repeated everyday.
According to the website of the Correctional Association of New York, "The overwhelming majority of women in prison are survivors of domestic violence. Three-quarters have histories of severe physical abuse by an intimate partner during adulthood, and 82% suffered serious physical and sexual abuse as children." While the community has made progress in understanding and addressing domestic violence, that understanding and support tend to vanish when survivors, defending themselves or their children, get convicted of a violent crime against their abuser and end up behind bars with long sentences. When a "victim" becomes a "survivor-defendant," that person is criminalized and we ignore or forget WHY the crime was committed. We certainly don't want to excuse the crime but we need to look at the abuse that underlies the commission of the offense. Unfortunately, prosecutors, public defenders, judges and the court of public opinion often don't consider the role that domestic violence plays in a woman's decision to do what she feels may be her only choice or last resort. The DVSJA is a call for compassion in sentencing.
The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act is not just about women. Supporters of the DVSJA understand that men and women may be abused and not every intimate partner relationship is heterosexual. On May 20, 2011, NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson and NYS Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry moved forward with legislation, introducing the DVSJA. The DVSJA Campaign is being led by the
Coalition for Women Prisoners
, a statewide coalition coordinated by the
Women in Prison Project
the Correctional Association of NY
. While it may seem natural to support anyone who has been victimized, when it comes to survivor-defendants, attitudes change and the "tough on crime" mantra is sung loud and clear. Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. supports the DVSJA campaign.
The next monthly meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will be on Monday, July 30, 2012 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, at 6:30-8:30pm. The film being screened is "Strength of a Woman," a 20-minute documentary created by the Violence Against Women Committee of the Coalition For Women Prisoners and filmmaker Allison Caviness. In this film, women talk candidly about their abuse, their incarceration, and the impact that an unsympathetic criminal justice system has had on their lives. Our guest speaker will be Mary Murphy who is the Executive Director of the Family Justice Center of Erie County, where victims of domestic violence come for help. Information about the FJC and the DVSJA will be shared. This program is sponsored by The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more information: 716-834-8438; email@example.com
June 2012 Program
Prisoners Are People Too Celebrates Seven Years
by Karima Amin
No one knew where this effort was going when Prisoners Are People Too was founded in 2005. We hoped to educate the community, and the effort has been ongoing. The impact that we have had has expanded from local to statewide to national campaigns. We are growing as the struggles continue.
Our monthly programs have highlighted issues that impact both prisoners and their families and, by extension, their communities. While we have examined how a broken criminal justice system is like an epidemic, touching everyone in its wake, we've tried to issue wake-up calls for those who think they've not been touched by a disease called "mass incarceration." While several topics have been revisited, such as incarcerated youth, parole, Attica, and the role of the correctional officer, others were added to our list of concerns as we learned more about: growing old behind bars, mental health behind bars, and veterans behind bars.
We also took at look at the challenges of reentry, especially with regard to a formerly incarcerated person's desire to start a viable, and legitimate business.
We gave some attention to "freedom movements" and to a few of our "political prisoners" whose strength and courage are more than impressive. We have publicly professed the importance of our standing in solidarity with prisoners who have waged and are waging hunger strikes as a way to protest inhumane and unprofessional treatment. These courageous prisoners in Georgia, California, Ohio and Virginia, who feel they have nothing to lose, are demanding an end to long-term, tortuous solitary confinement and other forms of abusive treatment.
Our faces have been seen and our voices have been heard at the University at Buffalo's 40 Commemorative Conference for Attica, the NYS Prisoner Justice Network Retreat, the Blue Mountain Center "How to Close a Prison" Retreat, Rotary's "Peace Through Service" Conference, the Critical Animal Studies Conference at Canisius College, and the recent "Let My People Go" Day of Action in Albany. Some of us sit on boards of organizations that are striving to dismantle the status quo of jail and prison conditions. Functioning as an offshoot of Prisoners Are People Too, the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition has kept the community informed about local jail issues and has encouraged the community to challenge Jail Management misconduct.
Weekly vigils at the Erie County Holding Center have continued into a third year.
In the last year, Prisoners Are People Too has partnered with Burning Books, 100 Black Men of Greater Buffalo, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara, and We Are Women Warriors… to sponsor educational forums that attracted people from various communities throughout Western New York.
On Monday, June 25, 2012 at 6:30-8:30pm, join us at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo as we celebrate another year of hard work and accomplishment. A popular rallying call is, "No justice! No peace!" and we understand that there will be no peace as long as we continue to forget that we belong to each other.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng will sponsor this program. For more information, contact Karima Amin at 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
May 2012 Program
Broken On All Sides
by Karima Amin
Recently, I reviewed a new film, directed by Matthew Pillischer, entitled "Broken On All Sides: Race, Mass Incarceration and New Visions for Criminal Justice in the US," which does a good job of describing the US prison system as being broken and perhaps beyond repair. I posted the film's 5-minute trailer on Facebook about two weeks ago. Only two people have taken a look at it and responded. I have more than 2,500 Facebook "friends" and I really expected more of them to click "like" and "share." It's an important film and it will be screened at the next monthly meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc..
I know that prison issues are of great importance to many people and some are working very hard to reform or dismantle what currently exists but there seems to be far too many others who are simply not interested or who would rather live with misinformation, stereotypes, and the kind of ignorance that gives them comfort. This apathy is frightening to me since I know that everyone is affected by this system whether they know it or not. Certainly, for some, the impact is obvious; prisoners, their close friends and families, and formerly incarcerated people see and feel this impact everyday. Children are affected too. Some even believe that incarceration is a normal part of adult male life. Incarcerated parents feel the impact as far too many of them rarely, if ever, see their children. Women struggling to raise children alone, feel the harsh impact of a system that is not family-friendly. Formerly incarcerated people, struggling to re-enter society, are affected daily as they strive to build new lives despite the detrimental collateral consequences of a criminal conviction. People who express no interest in prison issues, live and work day-to-day, not realizing that their tax dollars support a failed system that basically does very little to rehabilitate men and women who will one day come home.
In a few days, activists, advocates, and organizations from across the state will meet in Albany to share their working strategies and to talk to lawmakers about reforms requiring legislative support and the Governor's approval. The work is hard. The laws are unfair. Progress is slow. Even the most stalwart are showing signs of fatigue and a desire to abandon the battlefield. But the fight for the rights of prisoners is a necessary fight and one that more must join. Last May, 15 delegates from Western New York went to Albany. This year, only 9 have registered to go. This is a disappointment but I am not discouraged.
Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will meet on Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo to view and discuss "Broken On All Sides."
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng support this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin at 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
April 2012 Program
Let My People Go
by Karima Amin
It's that time of year again when prisoner justice advocates from across the state, come together to focus on concerted public action for New York State prison and parole justice. Last year, 15 activists from WNY (Buffalo and Niagara Falls) went to Albany and raised their voices in meetings with state lawmakers, senators and assembly people. While we raised many issues, the focus was mainly on parole reform. Although our legislators listened respectfully and patiently, there has been little movement in the right direction. The fight for prisoner justice remains an uphill battle and the fight to dismantle current parole policies is a seemingly never-ending struggle.
On Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 8:30 – 4:30, the NYS Prisoner Justice Network (NYSPJN) will spearhead activities for a day-long "day of action" in Albany, when members of the NYSPJN will check–in with each other, share strategies, announce successes, and re-visit the SAFE (Safe and Fair Evaluations) Parole Act, renewing their "…demand that within existing law, the [Parole] Board should change its culture/procedures." Last May, on "Lobby Day," our spirits were lifted, as it seemed that legislators were listening to us with "new" ears. Efforts to promote the SAFE Parole Act got a real boost and we felt some forward movement. May 22 will not be a "lobby day;" it is being defined as a "day of action," when we will meet with targeted legislators who are actively engaged in prisoner justice and who have expressed an interest I working with the NYSPJN.
At the next monthly meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., on Monday, April 30, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt in Buffalo, our guest speakers will be local activists who went to Albany a year ago as the delegation representing Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. and the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition. They will describe the experience and explain why they continue to stand up and speak out for justice, although progress, especially regarding parole reform, has been negligible.
For the latest parole news, click on "Current Initiatives" on the right, then scroll down to "NYS Parole Campaign." If you are interested in participating in the upcoming "Day of Action" (May 22), get in touch with Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or
. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng will sponsor this April 30 meeting.
March 2012 Program
Mental Health Behind Bars…and After
by Karima Amin
Last month we took a look at hospice care provided by prisoners for terminally ill prisoners at Louisiana State Penitentiary aka, "Angola" and "The Farm." Attendees were impressed with the way that compassionate prisoners were specially selected and trained to provide this much-needed service. The prisoners we saw in the film, "Serving Life," demonstrated the kind of care, concern, and compassion that one typically does not associate with so-called "hardened criminals." As these men tended to dying fellow prisoners, their attention to kind and gentle treatment was evident in a setting that was never designed for the elderly, the dying, or the mentally ill.
Six years ago, Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., presented a program about mental illness behind bars. We learned at that time that there were more people in the US receiving mental health treatment in prisons and jails than in hospitals or treatment centers. Living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post- traumatic stress, manic-depression, dementia and more, these men and women are housed in places that may make their illnesses more severe. The question that concerned us at that time was, "Have prisons become the new asylums?" We discovered that the answer was, "Yes." As more and more mental hospitals have closed, since government began shutting down state-run hospitals in the 1980's, people with mental health issues have been pushed into jails and prisons. Today's conservative estimate is 350,000. There are major problems with this situation, as prisons were not created to be de facto mental hospitals.
·Prisons are not structurally appropriate for patients.
·Staffs are not recruited as psychiatric caretakers.
·With special diets, medications, and examinations, it costs more to house someone who is mentally ill.
·Mentally ill prisoners are frequently abused, as correctional officers are often ill equipped to deal with the mentally ill.
·In some instances, mentally ill prisoners have been placed in solitary confinement, for administrative convenience, and "forgotten."
Today not much has changed. If anything, the situation is worse. I have learned that the three largest in-patient psychiatric facilities in America are JAILS:
Los Angeles County Jail, Rikers Island Jail in New York City, and Cook County Jail in Illinois.
What kind of treatment is provided on the inside? What is available upon reentry? How quickly can one see a doctor or replenish medication upon release? It seems that this country has criminalized the mentally ill.
The film being screened at the March meeting of Prisoners Are People Too is "The Released," a 2009 PBS Frontline documentary which provides "a rare look at the lives of the mentally ill as they struggle to stay out of prison and reintegrate into society." Our guest speaker will be announced. Prisoners Are People Too will meet on Monday, March 26 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, at 6:30-8:30pm.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
February 2012 Program
Growing Old Behind Bars
by Karima Amin
Many on the outside have certain stereotypical pictures in their heads when they think of prisoners. Some don't ever think of mothers in prison. Some never consider blind or deaf people in prison. Many never consider those who are growing old behind bars. As I cruise toward age 65 with Medicare and other health-related info filling my mailbox daily, I think of my contemporaries who are aging in a place that was never designed to be a senior living facility. Further, we rarely think of those terminally ill prisoners who may require hospice care. What happens to them?
While some state prison systems are liberal about granting compassionate release, most are not. Some prisons have outside organizations that come into the facility to provide hospice care while others carefully select and train prisoners to take care of those confined who are terminally ill. According to Human Right Watch, "…aging men and women are the most rapidly growing group in US prisons." In a recent 104-page report, "Old Behind bars: The Aging Prison Population in the US," the following information is stated:
·Nearly 10% of state prisoners are serving a life sentence. 11.2% have sentences longer than 20 years.
·The number of state and federal prisoners, age 65 or older, grew at 94 times the rate of the overall prison population between 2007 and 2010.
·Long sentences today mean that many current prisoners will not leave prison until they become extremely old, if at all.
·Many older prisoners remain incarcerated even though they are too old and infirm to threaten public safety if released.
While some states are moving forward to change the rules about mandatory minimum sentences and parole, the need for special medical care and hospice care for the elderly in prison is rapidly growing.
The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too will screen the award-winning documentary film, "Serving Life," which takes a look at prisoners caring for prisoners in the hospice unit of Angola State Prison (aka "The Farm") in Louisiana, where the average sentence is more than 90 years. At Angola, the sentences are so long, 85% will never again live to see the outside world. Prisoners who volunteer in the hospice unit have said that this program provides the kind of bonding and empathy that leads to a clearer understanding of how fragile life is. It's an opportunity that can be transformative. While hospice care is just one aspect of growing old in prison, prisons must also be prepared to provide for the medical needs of the elderly who frequently require special safety precautions, emotional feedback, special nutrition, or whatever may be needed to deal with diabetes, hepatitis C, or cancer …and the list goes on.
The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too will be on Monday, February 27 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, at 6:30-8:30pm. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
January 2012 Program
140,000 Veterans in Prison
by Karima Amin
This was the title of a 2009 article published by Change.Org on Veterans' Day. I read the article with interest, thinking of my father, a World War II veteran, who had died earlier that year at the age of 93. He was very proud of having served this country and his red, white 'n' blue flag was always on view on the front porch on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. My father was also a staunch proponent of Prisoners Are People Too. I read that article and wondered about what he might have had to say about so many veterans incarcerated in our state and federal prisons. That number above, "140,000," does not include the tens of thousands more in our county jails. It is often said that veterans deserve our respect and support, but what about the veterans who find themselves behind bars? In 2009, the Drug Policy Alliance issued a report entitled, "Healing a Broken System: Veterans Battling Addiction and Incarceration." This report details the results of a study that was done to examine the drug addiction and mental health issues, faced by veterans, which could contribute to that person's violations of the law. While substance abuse and mental illness among U.S. veterans are major problems, they tend to lead to other issues that may be inadequately addressed. Among these issues are: PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), homelessness, poor overall health, death by overdose, and susceptibility to suicide. The report also states that incarcerated veterans face "…a wide range of punitive policies that limit their access to social services necessary for their reentry to civilian life." At the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, on Monday, January 30, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, we will have an opportunity to examine what is being done to address the above concerns. Come out to learn more about Buffalo's Veterans' Treatment Court, the first such court in the nation, which was created by the Honorable Judge Robert Russell in 2008. Find out what services are offered as an alternative to incarceration, during incarceration, and following incarceration. The documentary film being screened this month is "When I Came Home," a film about homeless veterans in America who face a failing system while struggling to survive. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of this program. For further information, contact Karima Amin, 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
November 2011 Program
Taking Care of Business
by Karima Amin
It is a fact that each of us is multi-dimensional. I am a mother, teacher, woman, friend, taxpayer, golden ager, and storyteller and the list goes on. Why do we have so much trouble realizing that this is true of everyone, including our incarcerated population and our formerly incarcerated neighbors? These groups are also multi-dimensional and yet we have a tendency to paint them all with the same brush and to label them in ways that fail to acknowledge their growth and development as fully human. We see them as "criminals" and "ex-cons" and nothing more. We don't view them as parents, senior citizens, veterans, or simply as sisters and brothers and children who got caught in their wrongdoing. Some of them are living with long-standing and long-ignored mental health issues or issues of substance abuse. It seems easier to look the other way and to ignore the poverty and racism and other crime generative factors that may have led to incarceration. One important part of "taking care of business" is taking care of each other. Sadly, too many of us have failed to honor this charge.
When formerly incarcerated people come home, they are frequently faced with people in community who shun them, broken promises of reentry help that never materializes, and false steps to reintegration that may thwart their desire to become community assets. In this community, there are a few people whose criminal histories are public knowledge. They are mentors, ministers, paralegals, authors, activists, business owners and more. They are hard workers who are laying some of the bricks that we need to create strong, vibrant, and progressive neighborhoods. They are our sisters and brothers. Working with them in the business of building community is everyone's responsibility.
On Monday, November 28, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street, from 6:30-8:30pm, at the next monthly meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., we will meet some formerly incarcerated people who have established successful businesses in Western New York. They will discuss the hardships of imprisonment, the challenges of reintegration, and the obstacles they faced in seeking to establish a legitimate business while dealing with the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction. Mr. Alfonzo Carter will tell his story and introduce us to "Electronic Outlet" which is located in Buffalo's Elmwood Village. Mr. Guy Lane will introduce us to his Allen Street restaurant, named after his baby daughter, "Nadia's Taste of Soul." A third speaker is unconfirmed at this printing.
These stories of incarceration and entrepreneurship will be an inspiration to all.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of PRP2, Inc. programs. For further information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
October 2011 Program
Hope for Youthful Offenders
by Karima Amin
From 2007-2009, Department of Justice investigations and reports cited systemic abuse of children at Tryon Residential Center in Johnstown, NY, two other centers in Ithaca, and one in Auburn. It was further reported that State lock-ups for juveniles were extremely expensive with exceedingly high recidivism rates. In June of this year, Governor Cuomo, with the blessing of the State Office of Child and Family Services, announced the closing of four youth detention facilities and the downsizing of four others. At the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, we will take a look at the state of juvenile justice in Western NY. With so many youth detention centers being closed around the state and with the December 2010 closing of Hopevale in Hamburg, NY, people are interested in learning more about this community's youth detention services. Hopevale functioned for 155 years, first as a facility for troubled teen girls, then later as a coed residential home and school for troubled youth. There is a secure youth detention center on East Ferry Street in Buffalo that many of us pass everyday without knowing very much about it. It is generally understood that it exists to improve the lives of young people, encouraging successful reentry, but its accountability and transparency are question marks for most of us. As New York State is attempting to turn from "juvenile corrections" to an approach that promotes a more therapeutic and caring environment, we have questions about juvenile justice in this community that we hope will be answered by individuals representing Erie County Youth Services. Join us on Monday, October 31 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street (Buffalo), at 6:30 – 8:30pm for the next monthly meting of Prisoners Are People Too. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of PRP2, Inc. programs. For further information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or email@example.com.
September 2011 Program
Who Are the Keepers?
by Karima Amin
A few years ago, Prisoners Are People Too took a look at the role of the correctional officers in our NYS correctional facilities. After so much talk about "the keepers" and "the kept," during recent Attica 40 commemorative events, I thought it was time to revisit the role of the individuals who are most intimate with prisoners on a day-to-day basis.
The correctional officer has the job of maintaining security and prisoner accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes. Correctional officers maintain order within the institution and enforce rules and regulations. To help ensure that prisoners are orderly and obey rules, correctional officers monitor their activities and supervise their work assignments. Sometimes, officers must search prisoners and their living quarters for contraband like weapons or drugs, settle disputes between prisoners, and enforce discipline. Correctional officers periodically inspect the facilities, checking cells and other areas of the institution for unsanitary conditions, contraband, fire hazards, and any evidence of infractions of rules. In addition, they routinely inspect locks, window bars, grilles, doors, and gates for signs of tampering. Finally, officers inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items. Correctional officers report orally and in writing on prisoner conduct and on the quality and quantity of completed work.. Officers also report security breaches, disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual occurrences. They usually keep a daily log or record of their activities. Correctional officers cannot show favoritism and must report any prisoner who violates the rules. If a crime is committed within their institution or if there is an escape, they help the responsible law enforcement authorities investigate or search for the escapee. In jail and prison facilities with direct supervision of cellblocks, officers work unarmed. They are equipped with communications devices so that they can summon help if necessary. These officers often work in a cellblock alone, or with another officer, among the 50 to 100 inmates who reside there. The officers enforce regulations primarily through their interpersonal communication skills and through the use of progressive sanctions, such as the removal of some privileges.
What I've described here seems harmless enough, yet I can cite scores of negative stories about "the keepers" and "the kept," or "the keepers" and "the visitors."
At the next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Rev. Patricia Bufford, a recently retired NYS Correctional Officer, will be our guest speaker. She is known in this community as an individual with a genuine interest in community enhancement. With 20 years experience as a CO, she will share her thoughts about corrections and more.
Come out and be a part of this conversation on Monday, September 26, 6:30-8:30pm at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street. As always, these meeting are public and open to your questions and comments. (PRP2 programs are sponsored by The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng. For more info:
or 716-834-8438.)
August 2011 Program
Remembering… by Karima Amin
Today I spent a long time remembering, reflecting on past PRP2 programs, before I started writing this article/announcement for this month's Prisoners Are People Too monthly meeting. I looked back over the years of programming for the months of August and September to review what topics have been shared in the past. The list was short, as some topics have been repeated, but from a different vantage point every time. The importance of commemorating "Black August" has been mentioned several times, as we have recognized George Jackson and other conscious brothers behind bars who stood up for truth, resisted oppression, and made an effort to maintain dignity while imprisoned. "The Attica Rebellion" of September, 1971 has been acknowledged and explored several times. That event, forty years ago, put a spotlight on the evils of incarceration like never before. Also highlighted more than once, was the impact of COINTELPRO, this government's counterintelligence program, used against its own citizens. Documentary films about these topics have opened our eyes and opened our minds. "Encountering Attica," introduced us to a work-in-progress being produced by U.B. law professor, Dr. Terri Miller and her students; "Uprising at Attica," reminded us that "Attica is all of us;" "Murder on a Reservation," highlighted the plight of Native American political prisoner, Leonard Peltier; "Legacy of Torture: The War Against the Black Liberation Movement," told the story of the San Francisco 8 who have suffered more than 30 years of FBI repression; "Mumia: A Case for Reasonable Doubt," detailed the case against Mumia Abu Jamal who has been on death row since 1982; and "Cointelpro: The FBI's War on Black America," acknowledged the many ways that the FBI has worked to discredit, disrupt, and destroy certain individuals and political groups in this country, especially those connected with Black liberation. Our meetings during August and September of this year will be no different, except that PRP2 is making a concerted effort to encourage more young people to see our upcoming films, hear our passionate and knowledgeable guest speakers and learn this history. What happened three and four decades ago is inextricably related to the mass incarceration that we witness today. The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. will take place on Monday, August 29, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Pratt-Willlert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. The documentary being screened is "Cointelpro 101" (Freedom Archives 2010). Once again, we'll be reminded of the FBI's treachery as it has sought to infiltrate, annihilate, intimidate, and incarcerate using lies, burglaries, harassment, and murder to impede progressive movements in this country. Our guest speakers will be Sheila Hayes, Brooke Reynolds, Michael Kuzma, and Richard Morrisroe. Sheila Hayes is the wife of Robert Seth Hayes one of the longest held political prisoners in this country. Robert is a father, grandfather, Vietnam War veteran and member of the Black Panther Party. He has been incarcerated for nearly 40 years. Brooke Reynolds is an advocate for justice who supports Jalil Muntaqim (aka Anthony Bottom), another member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army, well known for his poetry and political essays. Michael Kuzma is a Buffalo attorney and longtime advocate of political prisoner Leonard Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) who has been incarcerated since 1977. Richard Morrisroe is a Buffalo attorney who will share information about COINTELPRO's impact on Puerto Rican independence. COINTELPRO reared its ugly head in the late 1950's and was extremely aggressive during the 1960's and 1970's. Make no mistake; with the advent of the Patriot Act and Homeland Security, COINTELPRO is
dead. Our August meeting will be about remembering but it will challenge us to take a good look at our present and our future.
July 2011 Program
Prisoners Are People Too, Inc. Meets on Monday, July 25
The next meeting of PRP2, Inc. will focus on what is being done (or not being done) for the youth in our community. Individuals from county and city government respectively, Mr. David Rust and Mr. Otis Barker, will join us later in the year to talk about the Youth Bureau, Division for Youth, and the Secure Youth Detention Facility. Meanwhile, on July 25 at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt St. in Buffalo, 6:30 – 8:30pm, we will be joined by two men who have taken a personal interest in mentoring our youth. Their volunteerism on behalf of our children is commendable. While the work that they do is certainly not the only work being done, we hope that highlighting their efforts at a PRP2, Inc. meeting will serve to inspire others who want to help our young people to get on the right path and stay there. Mr. Robert A. Harris, Sr., better known as "Brother Rob," is President and C.E.O. of the "Youth Prison Prevention Project." He speaks to youth "in their own language of Hip Hop and reveals to them the booby traps and deceptions of the streets." Brother Charles Burgin heads up the "Brotherman's Progress Mentoring Matters Organization." He communicates a message of peace through mentoring troubled youths. A related documentary film will be screened. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng sponsor all PRP2, Inc. programs.
June 2011 Program
Six Good Years for Prisoners Are People Too, Inc.
by Karima Amin
This last year has had an abundance of ups and downs but we have continued to move forward in our quest for justice for prisoners and formerly incarcerated people. The roadblocks have been incredible as they are of long-standing and have government support. Yet, we have honored our mission to help as many as we can and we have worked hard to dismantle those rules, regulations, and laws that deny the humanity of those who have suffered incarceration.
Since July of 2010, eleven monthly meetings and programs have been held, covering a variety of topics, including: "The Realities of Reentry," "Family Court Crisis," and "The Psychology of Imprisonment." Our outreach activities have involved us in several local community and statewide campaigns: "Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People" (with the NYCLU); "Milk Not Jails" (a consumer-driven campaign, mobilizing NYS residents to support the dairy industry and not the prison industrial complex); "Seeking Justice at the Erie County Holding Center" (with the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition); and "Fighting for NYS Parole Reform" (with the NYS Prisoner Justice Network and the Prison Action Network). Prisoners Are People Too is also a member of the "National Fuel Gas Accountability Coalition." This past year has seen more members of Prisoners Are People Too speak out for justice in the media, both broadcast and print, and at county legislative meetings, conferences, and forums. This year, sixteen of us went to Albany on May 3 to speak to our state senators and assembly members about our deepest concerns regarding prisoner rights issues.
Finally, after many months of petitioning, we had the first of several meetings with Sheriff Timothy Howard and Undersheriff Mark Wipperman in December of 2010. Finally, after many months of advocacy, we have an Erie County Community Corrections Advisory Board, which held its first meeting on February 15. Finally after several years of doing the "peoples' work," Prisoners Are People Too incorporated on April 21, 2011. The following individuals comprise the board: Karima Amin, Director; George "BaBa" Eng, Program Director; Artelia "Tia" Lewis; Charles "Chuck" Culhane; and Lesley Haynes. Rev. Eugene L. Pierce will chair the Advisory Board.
At this month's meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, we will meet on June 27, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, 6:30-8:30pm. This meeting will be a celebration of six years of programming. There will be an overview of our accomplishments; an update and report from Lesley Haynes regarding Legislative Awareness Day; and a brief report from our summer intern, Sahil Jain. Sahil is a student at Cornell University who is interning with Prisoners Are People Too. He will describe his work and what he has learned so far from his summer interning experience. Our documentary film that evening will be a 35-minute "rough cut" DVD produced by Rev. Eugene L. Pierce. He will highlight the mission of the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition.
The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of PRP2, Inc. programs. For further information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or
Website Builder
provided by


text:
Witch character class/lifestyle, reputation system, apartments, new items/clothing/decor and a new neighborhood.
Adding this to the other expansions can slow down your game a bit, custom content you've downloaded may not be compatible
By BrightHub on November 24, 2008
Read this review…
100 -
By GamerTell on October 22, 2008
The Sims 2 Apartment Life is a memorable expansion pack for the Sims 2. It features a slew of new gameplay additions, lots of extra items, a witch/wizard character class/lifestyle and the ability to have multiple households in a single home. In...
88 -
By Fusion Mods on October 09, 2008
Whether you love them or hate them the Sims games have been one of the most popular series of games on the PC in the last few years. So much so that its been a long time since I saw a list of the best selling PC games in the past week that didn ...
- -
By IT Reviews on October 01, 2008
Theres a decent dollop of content here, but we were a little disappointed that inhabiting an apartment didnt make more of a difference to Sims life. Fans of The Sims 2 will doubtless be buying and enjoying this expansion anyway, but with The Sims 3...
- -
By NZGamer on September 14, 2008
Just when we thought it was all over, along comes another expansion pack for The Sims 2! The latest (and last) expansion is called Apartment Life, and includes some awesome new features that really add a great deal to the game - but is this release...
85 -
By Game Chronicles Magazine on September 12, 2008
If you played and liked most or all of the previous seven expansions for The Sims 2, you'll probably like Apartment Life just fine. Rental properties put a new spin on the old favorite, and ceilings and new objects should definitely be well...
78 -
By 1UP on August 28, 2008
No more Wisteria Lane for you, Sims 2 enthusiasts! With the new Sims 2: Apartment Life expansion, your Sims can now move away from their safe suburban homes (and all the maintenance they require) and into a more responsibility-free apartment. From a...
81 -
By GameZone on August 22, 2008
This is more entertaining than Free Time and the apartment roommate element spices it up a...
72 -
By ITpro.no on November 28, 2008
Byliv er alt i alt en bra utvidelse til det stadig ekspanderende Sims 2. Dog er dette sansynligvis siste ekspansjon. Denne pakken fører med seg flere nye funksjoner og noen av dem er også ganske underholdende. For eksempel at man kan utvikle seg til å...
67 -
By Smartson on October 06, 2008
I det nya The Sims 2: Apartment Life flyttar Simmarna in i lägenhet, använder häxkonst och skaffar rumskompisar. Ett fräscht tillägg i spelserien anser...
Most Popular
Trending | Featured |

subset: commoncrawl


text: 500 pts Crime Trivia <KEEL VIP A New Jersey man set fire to his home in order to kill what? Click here to see the answer. Sign in to Participate Category: Trivia Ends: Sunday June 16 at 10:59PM CDT Visit our sponsor: Click here to see the answer. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More Leave a comment Send to a friend! Print this page Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr! More Ways To Get and Use Points Music TriviaVideo Game TriviaMovie TriviaLearn More About Grounds Guys [LINK]KEEL Big Wheel of the DayKEEL Business of the Day


text:
Change Text Size:
Achieving Consistent Quality Care: Using Research to Guide Clinical Practice, Second Edition 2010 Shannon D. Scott, RN, PhD AWHONN members may download one free copy; nonmembers may purchase the download. Once you log-in, you can get your free copy under "Member Only Downloads." Achieving Consistent Quality Care provides a roadmap to develop an evidence-based framework for nursing practice. It breaks down the process of finding, understanding and applying evidence to daily practice into easily understandable segments. There is little argument that evidence-based nursing care improves outcomes. However, many nurses and facilities are challenged when it comes to translating evidence into daily practice. This resource guides staff nurses, nurse leaders and other health care professionals in translating evidence and research into bedside practice. This resource guides you through:
Guide perinatal nursing practice in Canada and help prepare Canadian nurses for the CNA Perinatal Nursing Certification Examination with this definitive set of standards. Developed specifically for Canadian perinatal nurses by AWHONN?s Canada section members, these standards include the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) perinatal nursing competencies. This resource features:
NEW - Largest database of perinatal staffing available! Participate by December 15, 2011! This product is only for hospitals that want to submit their data to AWHONN.
The AWHONN Perinatal Staffing Data Collaborative Report This report captures key demographic, hospital and RN staffing-related data that a nurse executive can use for strategic planning and risk management purposes. Hospital identifiers are not included. More than 85 hospitals are included in the report, making it the largest database of perinatal staffing available.
Compare your hospital's data against other hospitals in the data collaborative by participating in the Perinatal Staffing Collaborative Survey. Your hospital's data is managed with strict confidentiality - hospital identifying information is kept separate from hospital data and AWHONN will only discuss these data in the aggregate. Submit your survey by December 15, 2011.It's Easy to Participate:
1. Return the signed agreement with payment to AWHONN2. You'll receive your personalized survey for your hospital via email.3. Complete your survey (this should take 2-3 hours)4. Email your completed survey by December 15, 2011.5. Your custom hospital report will be emailed to you January 2012. Review a Sample Report Review Perinatal Staffing Case Scenarios Order Instructions Frequently Asked QuestionsFor more information and pricing, please contact Chrissy Burke at 617-320-5017 or email@example.com.
Standards for Professional Nursing Practice in the Care of Women and Newborns 2009 Members, login now to get your free copy. Once you log-in, you can get your free copy under "Member Only Downloads." Adopted by nurses and healthcare organizations worldwide these expert developed and reviewed benchmarks are the standards for nursing care of women and newborns. The AWHONN Standards summarize the specialty's core principles of nursing practice. Like the sixth edition, the revised seventh edition reflects AWHONN's commitment to promote the health of women and newborns by describing women's health, obstetric and neonatal nursing practice and nurses' roles and responsibilities to their patients. This edition emphasizes the nursing profession's important role in providing evidence-based care that is developmentally and culturally appropriate. Featured in the seventh edition are the enduring Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance that are based on and adapted from the current American Nurses Association (ANA) Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice that reflect key elements of obstetric, women's health and newborn nursing.
Remember Me
Forgot Your Password?


text:
TV Zone
News, scoops, reviews and more from TV land.
Oceanside native off 'Survivor'
Back from a few days off (and apologies to those who have checked back here to see the same old postings).
Let's do begin with last night's "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites," which saw a hometown fan escorted to the door: Allie Pohevitz. Yes, slightly old news by now, but in case you missed, I came across this Hollywood Reporter exit interview, which is informative . . . Allie, 25, is indeed from Oceanside, and here's her bio, posted last month . . .
Tags: survivor: fans versus favorites , allile pohevitz


text:
Is There an App for iPod That Is Like the Sims3, Sims Ambitions, Ect?
> asks:
I really like the sims apps and i was wondering if anyone knows of any apps simmilare to them? They can be paid but i would pike them to be free. Any suggestions?
Hey ,
The Sims Free Play. I'm hooked on this game.
Very fun. I recommend it.
Did this help solve your problem??? Give us some like love!
How about these similar questions?
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Iphone Questions
LG Questions


text:
Home - Destinations - iPhone/Android - Partners - Forum - Photos - Deals - What's New |
DescriptionQuality route with varied face climbing, everything from slabs to roofs. Topo provided supplies the details. LocationThis is the middle of three lines I know about on the face. There is a painted marker at the base of P1. ProtectionBolts, brought a few cams and stoppers as well.


text:
Surprise them with this outstanding gift basket which offers a large assortment of delectable gourmet sweets and a heartening and humorous keepsake book!
This beautiful gift basket features a book titled "The Guide to Better Birthdays" filled with inspirational quotes, poems and ideas, a box of Tiramisu Wafer Cookie Rolls, Swiss Chocolate Almond Coffee, Jordan Almonds, Coconut Caribbean Crunch Cookies, Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cream Filled Cookies, Lemon Almond Cookies and Cinnamon Sugar Butter Wafer Cookies! What a sweet way to surprise them on their birthday!
We Ship to the USA Only
We Accept
North America Gifts
Visit North America Gifts.com for more gift selections. Another division of Triforce.


text:
In addition to printing and viewing your local deals vouchers, you can now easily
manage your location, free subscriptions and credit card details.
Secure access to My Account requires a password. If you have not yet created a Travelzoo
password, we will ask you to go ahead and set one up.
Search for hotel, cruise, vacation, entertainment, restaurant and spa deals in your destination.
One of the most coveted perks at Travelzoo is the Travelzoo Experience, in which Deal Experts and other employees take advantage of the same travel, entertainment and local deals we publish to our subscribers and report back on their experience.
Four days was the perfect amount of time to see all the major sites in Dublin, as well as take an afternoon trip to the town of Malahide, home to a castle, a cute seaside village and, on our visit, a rainbow that I'm convinced ended in a pot of gold.
While Ireland may not be the warmest place to take a winter holiday, I was willing to bet that'd it be nicer than Chicago in December. And from what I've heard, the Irish know how to have a good time. So when I saw a Newsflash for a four-night trip to Dublin over New Year's Eve – including nonstop roundtrip airfare from O'Hare and lodging near the city center – I didn't hesitate to book it.
Some highlights: