In September 2021, DOCCS (The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) restarted the Family Reunification Program that had been suspended for a year and a half. This meant that, after a long period of painful separation, some family members were once again able to spend time with their incarcerated loved ones for a weekend in a home-like setting. This was certainly good news, but the catch was that everyone involved had to be vaccinated. While on the surface this might sound like a sensible precaution, in reality it was just the latest example of DOCCS’s double standards applied in ways that are harsh, punitive, and ultimately pointless.

AFJ proudly cosigned the Amicus brief filed in this case.

Denying Vote to People With Criminal Convictions Violates International Human Rights Law, Says NJ Institute for Social Justice in Brief to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights  

Amici Brief Filed on Behalf of 13 Civil Rights Organizations Throughout U.S.

 
NEWARK – The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and the law firm of Gibbons P.C. today submitted an amici curiae brief to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, arguing that the United States is in violation of international human rights law by permitting the disenfranchisement of nearly 5.2 million United States citizens who have been convicted of felonies, a revocation of human rights that disproportionately impacts Black people and other people of color. 

AFJ’s Artist-in-Residence, Karima Smith, was one of the featured artists in a Black History Month from the The Animation Project collective who were invited to share their artwork and reflect on what Black History Month means to them.

In honor of Women's History Month, AFJ is currently running a series of ads in the Albany Times-Union to share with lawmakers how difficult it is for incarcerated women and for the women who visit loved ones. This is the first one that shares how tough it is just to make a visit.

We have a great selection of AFJ t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags available on our website! $10 flat-rate shipping for each order. All proceeds go toward supporting our work. Place your order today!

Our next circle for formerly incarcerated people will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 1 pm!

This group is about “moving forward,” which is what songa mbele means in Swahili. The Circle will emphasize mindfulness approaches that can assist participants on a path to a healthy transition into the community. It will be facilitated by Yao-Obiora Dibia and will occur monthly on the third Saturday of each month. Please see below for Zoom information. If you are formerly incarcerated, we hope you will attend!

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/join

Enter Meeting ID: 825 5810 8249

For phone only: 646-876-9923

Enter: 82558108249# 

While we miss being able to gather in person, having our Family Empowerment Circle on Zoom every Tuesday evening has been a great way to stay connected and has enabled families across the state to support one another. The circle takes place from 6-8 pm every Tuesday and is facilitated by the one and only Yao-Obiara Dibia! It is reserved for families with currently and formerly incarcerated loved ones, as well as for formerly incarcerated people.

Please see below for Zoom meeting details. You can also click the button above at the scheduled meeting time to be taken directly to the meeting.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/join

Enter Meeting ID: 841 0065 5340

For phone only: One tap mobile +1646-876-9923

Enter: 84100655340# 

Thursday, March 17th, 6-8 pm

Please join Alliance of Families for Justice every Thursday at 6 PM for our weekly community organizing meetings. Led by directly-impacted family members, we meet every Thursday to identify policy priorities, craft strategies, and implement campaigns around issues that affect currently and formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones. Directly-impacted individuals and allies are all welcome! We ask that new participants attend any week except for the first Thursday of the month, which is reserved for current participants.

There are ample opportunities to engage in a wide variety of strategies. If you are unable to attend these meetings, but you want to get involved, please email aqirah@afj-ny.org.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/join

Enter Meeting ID: 851 6657 8595

For phone only: 646-876-9923

Enter: 85166578595#