Incarcerated Advocacy Archives

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HEARD’s position on Use of Incarcerated People as “Interpreters”

Topic(s): Community Education Incarcerated Advocacy

For: Community Members Currently Incarcerated Formerly Incarcerated Legal Support Staff

In solidarity with thousands of imprisoned people in more than 15 states who are striking to bring attention to & end horrible prison conditions and prison labor exploitation, HEARD, LRID and over twenty organizations released a statement responding to decades of neglect of the needs of Deaf/Disabled imprisoned people. Our hope is to end nearly a decade of illegal and inhumane exploitation of imprisoned people by the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

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Unspeakable: the Story of Junius Wilson

Topic(s): Incarcerated Advocacy Recommended Resources

For: Community Members Currently Incarcerated Formerly Incarcerated Legal Support Staff

Junius Wilson (1908-2001) spent seventy-six years at a state mental hospital in Goldsboro, North Carolina, including six in the criminal ward. He had never been declared insane by a medical professional or found guilty of any criminal charge. But he was deaf and Black in the Jim Crow South.

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Deaf In Prison Documentary

Topic(s): Community Education Incarcerated Advocacy

For: Community Members Currently Incarcerated Formerly Incarcerated Legal Support Staff

HEARD created the #DeafInPrison Campaign to raise awareness about abuse of & discrimination against deaf prisoners.The Campaign aims to start a national conversation about these concerns and to compel corrective and preventive action.

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Why Many Deaf Prisoners Can’t Call Home

Topic(s): Community Education Incarcerated Advocacy Recommended Resources

For: Community Members Currently Incarcerated Formerly Incarcerated Legal Support Staff

Calling home from prison is cumbersome and expensive. For deaf people behind bars, it’s even tougher, sometimes impossible.

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In the Fight to Close Rikers, Don’t Forget Deaf and Disabled People

Topic(s): Community Education Incarcerated Advocacy Recommended Resources

For: Community Members

To end mass incarceration, we must first begin to be honest about the real and deadly consequences of racism, classism and ableism. Closing Rikers is a step in the right direction, but in addition, the stories of deaf and disabled people must be amplified, and New York must take steps now to save them.

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The Complete Felix Garcia Interview

Topic(s): Community Education Incarcerated Advocacy Recommended Resources

For: Community Members Legal Support Staff

Videos from an 8-part interview with Felix, a wrongfully convicted (innocent) deafdisabled Latino man who has been incarcerated for more than 40 years. Learn more through the hashtag #FreeFelixGarcia

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ASL: Police Reforms You Should Always Oppose

Topic(s): Community Education Incarcerated Advocacy

For: Community Members Legal Support Staff

ASL Translation of “Police Reforms You Should Always Oppose” written by Miriame Kaba.

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Deaf/Disabled Imprisoned People Aren’t Receiving Access During COVID Pandemic

Topic(s): Incarcerated Advocacy

For: Currently Incarcerated

One of our Public Education Team members shares his perspective on Deaf/Disabled folks being imprisoned during the pandemic.

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HEARD Victory: FCC Prison Phone Accessibility Vote

Topic(s): Incarcerated Advocacy

For: Community Members Currently Incarcerated

For more than 10 years, HEARD and our communities have pushed for accessible telecom for incarcerated people and their loved ones through our #DeafPrisonPhoneJustice campaign. The FCC finally ordered that incarcerated people with communication disabilities must have access to ALL forms of telecommunications relay services.

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‘Prison Within a Prison’: New Mandate Offers Lifeline for Deaf People in Custody

Topic(s): Incarcerated Advocacy

For: Community Members Currently Incarcerated Formerly Incarcerated Legal Support Staff

A new rule from the Federal Communications Commission requiring full access for incarcerated people with communication disabilities will go into effect in January 2024. This rule is a product of 10+ years of advocacy from HEARD alongside deaf/disabled incarcerated people and community members.