We are committed to ending the mass
incarceration of women & girls.
The United States is the global leader in
locking up women & girls.
One third of the world’s women prisoners are locked up in the U.S. even though just 4% of the world’s female population lives here. In Pennsylvania, the incarceration rate of women and girls exceeds that of every other nation on earth.
229,053
Women & girls are incarcerated in prisons, jails, & juvenile facilities across the U.S.
86%
Of incarcerated women are the victims of prior sexual assault & gender violence.
2/3
Of women in prison are mothers to children under the age of 18.
WHAT WE DO
Direct Assistance
Expert assistance for women and girls fighting wrongful convictions and unjust sentences. We offer research, strategy, and expert testimony.
Research & Public Policy Advocacy
Policy-relevant research on gender and mass incarceration that centers and amplifies the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls.
Education & Training
Educational programming, training, and technical assistance for stakeholders including families, advocates, students, attorneys, and members of the judiciary.
How can we make the world a better place this holiday season? Our answer begins with empowering & uplifting the most vulnerable members of our community—incarcerated survivors of violence, abuse, & poverty. #freeher #metoo
Today only! We are offering 10% off our best selling merch just in time for the holidays! Enter code DOITJUSTICE22 Store link in bio. All proceeds support our work to help incarcerated women & girls. #blackfriday
We are so grateful to our donors, collaborators, volunteers, supporters, squad members, allies, & students. We could not do this work without you ❤️
Today is #transdayofremembrance & we are horrified by last night’s mass shooting at Club Q, as well as by hateful anti trans rhetoric deployed by politicians & their acolytes. May the victims rest in power.
Shout out to Team India!!! You know the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child”… well it takes an ARMY to right a wrongful conviction. We are so close to getting India home & the reason why is because India’s family, friends, & loved ones have never stopped fighting. Her pcra attorney @toddmosser has never stopped fighting. And you already know we’re not gonna stop fighting. We’re so proud to be a part of this team— Mark your calendars. We’re back in court Feb 9, 2023. ps: feel free to tag yourself if you’re in these photos! #freeindiaspellman #wrongfulconviction
4 things you need to know from India Spellman’s November 2022 evidentiary hearing. #freeindiaspellman #wrongfulconviction
India Spellman 11/10/2022 hearing update #freeindiaspellman
Can’t. Won’t. Don’t. Stop. We’re all out for India. Please join us in court this morning. We’ll also post updates to our social media. Together we can #freeindiaspellman #wrongfulconviction
If you read one non-election news story today, make it this one. @alyssaoursler & @annadalcortivo report on the #wrongfulconviction of India Spellman. We are so grateful to @nationmag for covering India’s case. Link to story in bio #freeindiaspellman
Our dedicated team of Villanova students always show up for India! We’re ready for Thursday’s hearing!! #freeindiaspellman
Yeah, we said it. Billionaires like Elon Musk will not end mass incarceration. They won’t end gender violence. They won’t end misogyny & patriarchy. They won’t make us safer. Donate to the people & orgs who will. Link to support our work in bio. #twitterisdead
Our bestselling Supremes T now available in Navy, Black, & Grey soft cotton Sweatshirts. Now more than ever we’ve got to come together to support & defend women’s rights. All proceeds support our work to free criminalized survivors. Link in bio. #womensrights #defendroe #feminism #rbg #ketanjibrownjackson #soniasotomayor #elenakagan #supremecourt #intersectional #blackfeminism #ruthbaderginsburg #whentherearenine #johnfetterman #joshshapiro
We’re less than a week away from India’s next hearing. Come join us in court 💪🏽💪🏿💪🏼💪🏻💪🏾 #freeindiaspellman
Everyone should have a friend like Miriam. Miriam contacted us a few years ago urging us to take a look at India Spellman’s case. At the time we were overwhelmed with cases, inquiries, & requests (we still are!!!) & could not take on a new case no matter how meritorious. Miriam continued to write us on behalf of her friend, pointing out how profound the injustices were & how aligned India’s case is with PJP’s mission to free wrongfully convicted/sentenced women. We finally agreed to take a “quick” look. How could we say no to Miriam??? We could not believe what we saw—illegal interrogation of a juvenile, police coercion of a juvenile, mismatched witness descriptions, ineffective counsel, and a rarity—an airtight alibi. We got on board immediately & we’ve working to amplify India’s story & fighting to bring her home ever since. Thank you @h8edbymanyluvbyfew we are so grateful for your loyalty to & advocacy for India. Everyone should be so fortunate to have you as a friend. We’re back in court November 10. #freeindiaspellman #wrongfulconviction
Thanks to @thevillanovan for covering the event our undergraduate chapter threw to raise awareness about Sylvia Boykin’s case & the need to expand #secondchances in Pennsylvania. The @boardofpardons turned Sylvia’s application down in October’s merit review hearings but we have vowed to continue our work in her case & on behalf of all those who deserve a second chance.
Can confirm. Please consider supporting our work to end mass incarceration & the criminalization of survivors. Link to donate in bio—every donation helps. #metoo #massincarceration
#mahsaamini
Our friends @amistadlaw & @abolitionistlc filed a lawsuit on behalf of Marie Scott & several others challenging the constitutionality of life without parole sentences for second degree murder. The PA Supreme Court denied the petition this week on the premise the Commonwealth Court lacks jurisdiction. This is a setback but we still believe in the merits of this case & in particular that death by incarceration violates the ban on cruel & unusual punishment. Historically life sentences in PA & elsewhere throughout the US have always included avenues for meritorious release. We stand with Marie Scott & all the petitioners in this case in urging an end to these costly, ineffective, and draconian sentences. #lwop #secondchances #massincarceration
A week ago, students at our undergrad chapter @villanovau hosted a listening party featuring #SylviaBoykin ‘s episode on @wrongfulconviction . Pulitzer Prize winner @maggiefreleng interviews Sylvia, Sylvia’s daughter Pennie, & our Director @jill.mccorkel about the circumstances surrounding the crime, the disparity of the sentence, & why Sylvia urgently deserves commutation. Thanks to everyone who came out—we packed the room—and to our wonderful student members who made it happen (& even served Bundt cake!!!!). #freesylviaboykin
Even by Russian standards, this sentence is outrageous. It’s unclear if Griner’s legal team will appeal to a higher court (Russian appellate courts are not known for overturning/modifying sentences). Today’s ruling increases pressure on the Biden administration to bring her home using any means necessary. #freebrittneygriner
