When I founded the Insight Alliance in 2016, we started by working with adults who were experiencing incarceration. First at a men's prison and then with women. There was no particular reason - that was just who we got to work with. I’d walk through any door that was open to us. To this day, I still love working with adults. Being one, I often find it easier in a way. It wasn’t until some of the men who took our program in prison would say, “Why has no one taught us this before? If I’d know this when I was younger, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be in prison. We need to work with the youth.” The more I heard that, the more I realized that was true for me too. If I’d understood my own mind when I was younger I could have avoided many of my more spectacular messes, and many of the smaller day to day ones too….

Last week, we had the honor and privilege of greeting one of our participants during her release from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Mary, one of the lovely women who served as a mentor in our group at the women's facility, was granted clemency by Governor Brown. Here was the letter we initially received from Mary with the great news…

We hope this newsletter finds you doing okay amidst all that's unfolded in our country this week. We're still at a loss for words as we process through the storming of our capital and the white supremacy that underpins it all. One thing we know for sure - our work is more important than ever. While it feels a bit weird to do "business as usual" today, we thought it timely and important to share information about the Global Change Incubator and other key happenings we've got going on. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have.

With lots of love, Anna and Lindsay, Co-Leaders

As we observed Human Rights Day yesterday, our hearts were heavy with the news of Brandon Bernard’s execution. Judges and others who were engaged with Brandon’s case all said the same thing - he should not be executed. He had spent the greater part of his time behind bars working to better himself and become a new person. That is, afterall, supposed to be the point of prison, right?

In a system that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown community members, capital punishment cannot be the answer. We must do better as a country. And, to find ways of addressing the systemic racism and punitive thinking that has undergirded our system. What we’ve got going on right now has not led to better outcomes for our communities.

*Photo from The Guardian

In our very first group at CCCF, one of our women (M.C.) knew she was leaving CCCF to finish up federal time somewhere in the US. She had no idea where she was being sent and she was sad, scared and I thought distracted during our group. On about week 8 of our program, she left, and we didn’t see her again. We didn’t know where she’d gone. I asked my supervisor where she was so I could send our newsletters, but they all came back.

I can’t believe we’re post Labor Day and heading out of summer and into fall. I hope you all are safe and out of danger from the recent fires. I don’t think I’m alone in saying this year has been surreal, unsettling, and maddening at times seeing humanity at its worst but also at its best. We have seen tremendous acts of kindness and people rising to the occasion of navigating all that's been thrown at them.

Here at the Insight Alliance we are feeling hopeful for REAL change. We are also working hard to contribute to that change through our work and advocacy efforts. 

Life still continues to be up-and-down with COVID-19 restrictions, but we’re doing our best to stay connected with folx in prison and supporting them as they re-enter the community. I’ve loved creating our interactive newsletter - Moments of Insight - every couple of weeks. Beforehand, I couldn’t tell you the last time I received a hand written letter from anyone I knew. Now, with visitation restrictions still in place, we get sprinkled with them each week. People are sharing their art, their musings, poetry and also letting us know how they are doing amidst the actual lockdown.

I wanted to share some of the updates we have received from our community  of participants in state and federal prisons and jail. The tenacity and resilience of the human spirit never ceases to amaze and inspire.

I hope this newsletter finds you safe and healthy. We wanted to take some time to acknowledge all that’s been unfolding in our country over the last few weeks. I’d be lying if I said I’m finding it easy to come up with something meaningful or helpful to say. I’ve spent the morning waiting for something to come…..It’s been a struggle. What’s happening – the killing of innocent black people at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect - is unjust, fucked up and clearly showcases the overt racism black people and communities of color have experienced for decades.

Art by @shirien.creates

I occasionally wonder if some people think, “Why would I support people in prison when there are so many things and other people I can support?” Let’s be honest, people in prison aren’t exactly puppies and babies.

So, I want to say a thing or two about people who are incarcerated in this county. This is based on working with hundreds of men, women and youth in prisons both in the US and in England. People don’t start out bad. They don’t come into this world as criminals. People are good at their core. Babies are pure love. And then life happens. There’s trauma; there’s mental health issues; there’s poverty; there’s addictions; there’s neglect; there’s abuse; there’s racial inequalities. Many people in prison were raised in foster care or homes not fit for children, often shifted from one place to another from a young age rather than in a stable loving home. All this contributes to people ending up in prison.