One out of three Black men is in jail, on probation or parole. In addition, we denounce the classist nature of prisons, which are disproportionately filled with poor people. We also denounce the frightening increase in Capital Punishment and the growing restrictions on appeals by persons on death row. We live in a country where prison officials have reintroduced chain gangs. Punishment, not rehabilitation, is their solution.
Women represent the fastest growing population in prison.
There are over 100 political prisoners in U.S. jails. They are people like Native American leader and activist Leonard Peltier, framed for murder and unjustly imprisoned for over 20 years. Despite worldwide demand for his release, which include the support of Amnesty International, the U.S. Justice Department recently denied him parole once again. Alejandrina Torres has spent years fighting for the independence of her homeland, Puerto Rico. She was convicted of being part of a clandestine armed organization and sentenced to 35 years in jail.