Advocacy
Although we do not participate in any lobbying activities or endorse candidates for public office, we do advocate on issues that impact justice involved individuals, communities and families, including policies that may become law. We support local, state and national efforts as well as organizations that support grassroots organizing, advocacy and civic engagement efforts that identify and address issues of public concern and end oppressive systems that exploit and/or exclude individuals impacted by a criminal conviction which includes but is not limited to ending employment discrimination of people with criminal records (which contributes greatly to Georgia's high recidivism, unemployment, poverty and homelessness rates), advocating for fair chance hiring, housing and education opportunities for justice involved people, ending probation and parole and cash bail, advocating for common sense and rational sex offense laws and policies that protect society but also do not subject those forced to register as sex off***ers to public shaming, being dehumanized, discriminated against or have their constitutional rights violated, equity for formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs (who were often denied the PPP loans and are often denied bank and other business loans), ending slavery (prison slave labor that's exploited by way of the 13th amendment) and ending felony disenfranchisement to restore the vote to Georgians on probation and parole who are excluded from their rights as citizens according to the 14th amendment.
Issues we advocate and speak on:
- the challenges to reentry, especially for special populations (elders, trans and people living in recovery, with mental illness or on the sex registry),
- voter disenfranchisement & education (particularly for those who are justice involved). Learn more about our work as a part of the HOAPE Coalition by connecting with HOAPE on Facebook, Twitter & IG (@HOAPE4GA)
- jail/prison conditions and communications
- family reunification
- economic justice and decriminalization of poverty
- restoration of rights, probation and parole reform
- Self advocating for an incarcerated loved one
NO LABELS! We Are PEOPLE! Humanizing Language IS Dignity
No matter what we have been accused of, may have done or our life circumstances, we are PEOPLE and HUMAN and we all deserve dignity, care and respect and should never be stripped of our humanity!
Set Up To Fail: The Systemic Barriers to Reentry
Barriers to successful reentry for returning citizens create a multi-million-dollar economic drain, strain local workforces, and destabilize communities across Georgia
Locked Out: Felony Voter Disenfranchisement
Georgia denies the right to vote to over 250,000 people, exceeding the national average rate of voter exclusion.
School to Prison Pipeline: Coming for Our Babies!
When Georgia builds invests more in prisons and jails than in schools and educational programs, this is a clear sign that our children are the targets. To learn more about the school to prison pipeline and why it is critical to stop it in it's track, click the button below to visit EMI Georgia's campaign page. Interested in YOUTH JUSTICE? Click here.
Freedom is not Free! (probation, electronic monitoring, fines & fees, etc.)
Interested in knowing more economic justice and how the impact of fines and fees has on Georgians, particularly those who are Black, Brown and poor? Click below to read GA Budget & Policy Instutute's" Fact Sheet: Unpacking The Latest Fines and Fees Trends Across Georgia". You can also click here to watch a YouTube video of the facts.
Advocating for an Incarcerated Loved One
Got an incarcerated loved one that you want to advocate for their health, care &/or safety? Check out our mini guide that will help you effectively advocate for them and reach the right contacts.
Impact of Parental Incarceration
Nearly 200,000 children in Georgia have had a parent in jail or prison at some point in their childhood. This is slightly higher than the national average. Parental incarceration severely impacts children's academic performance, leading to lower test scores, higher rates of grade retention, and increased school absenteeism. These children face trauma, social stigma, and reduced engagement, increasing their likelihood of suspension, expulsion, or dropping out. Click the button below to read our fact sheet on the impacted of parental incarceration on school children and how schools can support students with incarcerated loved ones.
Economic Justice
Economic justice refers to a fair and inclusive economy where everyone, especially people who are marginalized, can prosper. ALL Georgians should be treated as human and deserving of the resources to support themselves, their loved ones and communities so they can reach tehir full potential. Georgia's policies sustain harmful and exploitive systems of oppression and bolster economic opportunities for some while extracting labor, health and wealth from others.