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), 
• abolishing oppressive carceral systems and procedures (mass incarceration, probation, electronic monitoring, fines & fees, etc.)
• 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
• restoration of rights
• fair chance hiring and housing 
• employment, housing and educational discrimination
• economic justice and decriminalization of poverty
• Self advocating for an incarcerated loved one