Across the United States, over two million women are jailed every year, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. At least 80 percent of the women who go to jail annually are mothers, including nearly 150,000 women who are pregnant when they are admitted. Many of these women are poor and have been forced into drug abuse and criminal activity because of their unjust circumstances. They often end up being held in horrible prison conditions, where physical and mental abuse is rampant, worsening their trauma. As a result, once many of these women are freed, mental health issues, homelessness and drug abuse become commonplace. The opioid epidemic affecting vast regions of the U.S. has hit women especially hard. Women's mortality rates from opioid overdose increased 507 percent between 1999 and 2016, compared to an increase of 321 percent for men, according to the National Women's Health Network.
For mothers, its especially difficult, as their children are regularly forced into foster care or given up for adoption. Most women in prison (62 percent) are mothers of minor children. Entire families are separated and life-psychological issues are created among jailed mothers and their children because of criminalization. Many of the children who are forced into foster care and adoption also face criminalization and abuse. According to a 2017 study released by the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, many children now trapped in foster care would be far better off if they remained with their own families, even if those families got only the typical help commonly offered by child welfare agencies. Clearly, the system thats in place now is not working.
Today, we bring you a Sojourner Truth special on women's incarceration and re-entry. During todays program, you will hear audio from a recent webinar hosted by A New Way of Life Reentry Project. The organization provides housing, case management, pro bono legal services, advocacy and leadership development for women rebuilding their lives after prison. The webinar features commentary from consultant and advisor Michael Dart, a partner of A.T. Kearney, Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life, and Ingrid Archie, former resident and current civic engagement coordinator of A New Way of Life. They discuss everything from the systemic roots of mass incarceration to grassroots campaigns working to change the oppressive and often violent criminal justice system.
Susan and Ingrid also share their lived experiences as women impacted by the U.S. prison system. After cycling in and out of the criminal justice system for nearly fifteen years, Susan gained freedom and sobriety and founded A New Way of Life Reentry Project in 1998. She opened her doors to other women returning home from prisons and jails, offering shelter, safety, leadership, and support to those seeking to rebuild their lives. Dedicating her life to helping other women break the cycle of incarceration, homelessness, addiction and despair, Susan became a recognized leader in the criminal justice reform and reentry rights movements.
