Welcome
Advocates for the humane and compassionate treatment of all incarcerated women.
Collaborates with other organizations dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system.
Works for the release of individual women prisoners who pose no danger to society.
Informs and educates the public;
Promotes a shift of focus from punishment to rehabilitation and restorative justice.
*************************************************
If you would like to send in a Donation to ACWIP please click the button below and follow the instructions. It is safe and secure.
At last, the true story of the miscarriage of justice inflicted upon Gloria Killian in her own words
Read a review by Marge Driscoll, click on this link
http://justiceandpeace.stmelparish.org/BookReviews.php
To read an interview with Gloria by MediaGuests
(click here)
Click on the link below to order your copy
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Story-Murder-Vindication/dp/0882823760/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325870022&sr=1-1
****************************************
Overcriminalizing A Hospital Visit
You too can be arrested if you try to stay at a hospital too long!
By Evie Litwok
March 29, 2012
Anna Brown, a 29 year old black women, went to several hospitals over a three day period complaining of leg pain. At the fourth and final hospital, St. Mary's in St. Louis, MO, they treated her and tried to send her away. Anna Brown would not go because she was in pain. The doctors called police to remove her. Police arrested and charged Anna Brown with "trespassing". Fifteen minutes after arriving at the police station Anna Brown died.
How is it possible for a woman who complained of leg pain and went to 3 different hospitals to get arrested at the fourth, St Mary's, because she demanded her pain be treated?
How is it possible police arrest this same woman for refusing to leave the hospital? Since when is over staying your welcome at a hospital called "trespassing." And why did a doctor agree to sign a document "Fit for confinement" allowing police to remove Anna Brown from the hospital. How is demanding to stay at a hospital a criminal act which could rise to the level of involving the police?
Why would police drag a woman in pain into a police car and add the charge of "suspected drug abuse?" Police added the charge of "suspected drug abuse" because Anna Brown was black, homeless and because they could.
Fifteen minutes after arriving at the police station, Anna Brown died. Her autopsy revealed her death was due to blood clots in her legs which reached her lungs. Not surprisingly, there were no drugs in her system.
The hospitals she went to did not find the "multiple blood clots" and the police assumed a woman in pain was faking. The police and the hospitals should be charged with criminal negligence or manslaughter. They let ANNA BROWN DIE.
Why was a physically sick woman arrested instead of being treated? Why did police arrest a women who showed no intent to do any harm to anyone? Since when are the police able to charge someone entering an emergency room with "trespassing?" Are they nuts or are they doing what the law allows.
The answer is everything can and is being criminalized. This is a terrible example of the worst kind of overcriminization. The police and prosecutors use the 4500 plus laws and 300,000 plus regulations to "charge" the average American with anything that works.
Tens of thousands of average Americans are arrested and classified as criminals by police and prosecutors.This is happening at both the Federal and State level. Criminal laws formerly required "intent" or a guilty state of mind. In today's world, police and prosecutors bypass intent or a guilty state of mind.
Tragically, 2.3 million people are incarcerated with the majority being arrested for actions everyday people do. There is little need to prove intent to prosecute someone. The prisons, federal, state, county and military are filled with people who, like Anna Brown, were charged with a "BOGUS" crime.
How many Anna Brown's have to die before the American public demands the overcriminalizing of Americans be stopped? What will it take to demand Congress review, repeal and remove outdated laws? And what will it take to demand "intent" be proven before a single arrest occurs? In Anna Brown's name, "we the people" demand a law be passed to insist "intention" be necessary to arrest and convict anyone.
Evie Litwok
Ex-Offender Nation
www.ExOffenderNation.com
****************************
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
********************************************
FACTS director, ACWIP director and Arletta Wright, holds Press conference in front of Governor Browns office.
Wensday, Aug 31, Geri Silva,director of FACTS, Gloria Killian, director of ACWIP, and Arletta Wright, sister of Patricia Wright held a press conference in front Governor Brown's Los Angeles Office to plead for the compassionate release of Patricia Wright.
Geri Silva Arletta Wright Gloria Killian
Patricia Wright has terminal cancer and has been given 6 months to live. In 1998, Wright was convicted of killing her husband, a crime which was committed 17 years before. There was NO evidence to link her to the crime and absolutely NO motive which had any merit. The esteemed Innocence Project has taken her case.
Patricis Wright
The family has been fighting for her freedom since her conviction, but now their fight takes on renewed vigor. They want Patricia to be allowed to come home to spend her last days with her family. The Governor has been asked to grant her clemency, and though he is sympathetic, he insists that his hands are tied because Wright has three felonies on her record. Those three felonies consist of a murder she did not
commit and the "theft of two .99 cent toys taken by her 7 year old son in June of 1989.
The family has been informed by the Senate Public Safety Committee that according to California penal codes 4851& 4852, the Governor has power to grant pardon & clemency without going through the parole board or the Supreme Court. According
to Families to Amend California's Three Strikes - FACTS and all in support of Patricia he has not only the right but the moral imperative to release Patricia immediately.
Please, help Patricia Wright and the entire Wright family secure her release by signing the petition link below.
http://www.change.org/petitions/please-grant-compassionate-medical-release-for-patricia-wright
Jeanne Woodford, Gil Garcetti, Donald Heller, Gloria Killian, Judy Kerr, Ronnie Sandoval and Lorrain Taylor introduce the SAFE California initiative, which will redirect at least $100,000,000 from the broken death penalty system to real crime-
California prison population drops by 8,000 since realignment
Razor Wire Women: Prisoners, Activists, Scholars and Artists.
It includes women prisoner artwork, testimomies, scholarly essays, etc.
It is getting some great reception so far. She now has a blog for it:
*********************************************************
Stop the execution of this British Grandmother
Stop the execution of this British Grandmother
****************************************
When a Child is Too Young to Realize Their Rights Are Being Violated
Amber Riley
http://www.facebook.com/l/c1ade0_v_GDetAmHQbrmG4k04bg;www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8qxjKsdLP4
*******************************
blogtalkradio.com/4justicenow, call in number 646-378-1432.
We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you! It’s the new Action Committee for Women in Prison – ACWIP toolbar – once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Action Committee for Women in Prison – ACWIP – at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Action Committee for Women in Prison – ACWIP . http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/action-committee-for-women-in-prison-acwip
tic
***********************************
Do to popular demand we have reactivated our guest book.
Please sign it and share your comments, thoughts and opinions.
******************************
Private Prison Corporations Are Modern Day Slave Traders
click on politics of prison tab above to read more
****
To Whom It May Concern;
You must read this Story Click on the Women's Stories Tab above
****
Go to trail: Crash the system
click on politics of prison tab above to read more
****
Women are silent casualties of war on drugs
****
Prison media access bill passes
click on politics of prison tab above to read more
****
Opinion: California can't afford vengeance as a public policy
click on politics of prison tab above to read more
****
Under Brown, more murderers gain their freedom
Click on politics of prison tab above to read the entire story
****
How California's lifers are dying inside
Click on politics of prison tab above to read the entire story
****
State leaders demanding full pardon for Scott sisters
Click on politics of prison tab above to read the entire story
****
Collateral Damage: Children and Prison Reform in California
Click on Politics of prison tab above to learn more
****
Fight brewing over historic California plan to close last three youth prisons
Want to know more? Click on Politics of prison tab above
****
US: Harsh Conditions for Young Lifers
Want to know more? Click on Politics of prison tab above
****
Supreme Court ruling decreases chances that prosecutors will be held accountable
Read about this shocking decision, Click on the Wrongful Conviction tab above
****
Gov. Jerry Brown weighs clemency petition for a grandmother
Read more of this interesting story. Click on Politics of Prison tab above
****
I Ordered Death in Georgia
Read more, click on the Death penalty tab above
****
California Puts Into Motion
Alternative Custody for Incarcerated
Moms
Read more, click on the Programs tab above
****
Arizona program helps
inmates' transition out of
prison
Read more, click on the programs tab above
****
Woman shackled during labor awarded
damages from deputies
\
Read more Click on the Women's Stories tab above
****
Marisa Gonzalez '05 helps free Karen Narita from prison
Read more about this touching story, click on the Women's Stories tab above
****
Texas Woman May be Spared Death Penalty Because of Prosecutorial Misconduct
Read more, click on the Death Penalty tab at top of page
****
Mother's Day like no other - in prison
Read more of touching story. Click on the Women's Stories tab on top of this page.
****
Re-open flawed salt murder case
Read more about this outrage. Click on the Wrongful conviction tab on top of page
****
I Ordered Death in Georgia
Read more, click on the Death penalty tab above
****
California Puts Into Motion
Alternative Custody for Incarcerated
Moms
Read more, click on the Programs tab above
****
Arizona program helps
inmates' transition out of
prison
Read more, click on the programs tab above
****
Woman shackled during labor awarded
damages from deputies
\
Read more Click on the Women's Stories tab above
****
Marisa Gonzalez '05 helps free Karen Narita from prison
Read more about this touching story, click on the Women's Stories tab above
****
Texas Woman May be Spared Death Penalty Because of Prosecutorial Misconduct
Read more, click on the Death Penalty tab at top of page
****
Mother's Day like no other - in prison
Read more of touching story. Click on the Women's Stories tab on top of this page.
****
Re-open flawed salt murder case
Read more about this outrage. Click on the Wrongful conviction tab on top of page
****
For All The Sisters Inside/Mission Statement
Our mission is to advocate for the humane and compassionate treatment of all incarcerated women everywhere. We work for the release of all women who are unjustly imprisoned, and strive to reduce the over reliance on incarceration. We work to bring fairness and equity into the criminal justice system and to shift the focus to treatment and restorative justice. We work to educate the public, develop new legislation, implement new programs, and develop resources for incarcerated women.It is our vision that all persons who are impacted by the criminal justice system will be treated with dignity and respect, and that restorative justice will be the goal of all parties. Everyone in society will recognize that they have an important role in the process, and rehabilitation will be a primary focus of the criminal justice system. We envision a future where female offenders will be helped to maintain their families and develop strong relationships with their children rather than having their families destroyed as a consequence of contact with the criminal justice system...
Gloria Killian - Executive Director of ACWIPGloria Killian was released from prison on 8/8/02 after serving more than 16 years on a sentence of 32 years to life for a crime that she did not commit. Throughout her trial and incarceration she always maintained her innocence. In March 2002 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that her conviction was based solely on perjured testimony and overturned her conviction.
As a former law student, Ms. Killian was assigned to the prison law library where she worked for 14 years, providing legal assistance to other inmates. She worked extensively with battered women, as well as others, and developed specialized legal services for many different areas of the prison. She was instrumental in the founding of the USC Law Project at the California Institution for Women.
Since her release, Ms. Killian has been tirelessly advocating for the humane treatment and release of the women that she left behind. She works as a consultant to agencies in the criminal justice and public policy fields, and has been the keynote speaker at several symposiums. She has testified for Select Committees of the California Legislature, and spoken extensively about the issues and concerns of incarcerated women. She has lectured at USC Law School, Loyola Law School, Southwestern Law School, and Arizona State University, among many others.
In 2008 the District Attorney( Christopher Cleland) who prosecuted Gloria Killian was brought up on charges by the California State Bar for his conduct in the Killian case. After a lengthy trial, he was found guilty and admonished by the State Bar. Cleland is one of only 5 prosecutors who have been brought up on these type of charges in the past 8 years in California.
Press Release
When: Immediate Release
To: All outlets
From: Action Committee For Women In Prison
We are pleased to announce that 4 Justice Now has merged with ACWIP, and will henceforth operate as chapters of ACWIP in Florida, New Jersey, and New York. ACWIP is a national organization that is dedicated to ensuring humane and compassionate treatment for all incarcerated women, reducing the over-reliance on incarceration in the United States, and advocating for the release of all women who pose no threat to society. Creating a safe and positive community environment dedicated to rehabilitation and restorative justice for women and their children is a primary goal of the organization.
Mary Ellen Digiacomo, President4justicenow.ning.com
The Florida Chapter of ACWIP.net
Visit 4justicenow
My name is Mary Ellen and I have decided to write this blog to honor the women who are imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit or were wrongly sentenced. I myself was one of those prisoners. I am an entrepreneur and started my own business many years ago only to find that the State of Florida would charge and convict me of a crime that was never committed. They say I didn't register stocks in my privately held company which I believe never had to be registered. No criminal intent was ever present and the attorneys just said "Don't worry" even as I was being escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs! I was convicted and served 5 years in maximum security prisons in Florida. It was there that I met these women. I am currently on probation and still have a few years left to complete my sentence. But this story isn't about me. It is about the countless women I left behind and their stories.
I believe in my heart that I was divinely guided to serve this sentence in order to tell these stories. I am not angry but passionate to do something to make changes in a very broken justice system. You wouldn't believe how easily women can wind up in prison in Florida. Most are victims of horrendous abuse. The laws are often archaic and reversely discriminate against women in an effort not to give them special privileges above men. But they are not men and they continue to be treated as if they were or worse. They work hard heavy labor in the hot Florida sun and are not fed the same portions as the men doing the same jobs. (And, by the way, neither males nor females get paid for their labor). These are not monsters. Most are women who were trying to protect themselves or their children and had no self defense laws in place to protect them. Some of them were convicted simply because they had knowledge of a crime and were threatened with their lives or the lives of their children if they said anything. I am not saying that there aren't women who don't belong in prison (and even they deserve humane treatment), but I know first hand how many truly don't belong there or have served their time and deserve their freedom! It is my mission to make the public aware of these stories and to help make our correction system more rehabilitative and less punitive. Only then can we ever hope for a better society as a whole. We need to address the issues of poverty, abuse, and their affects on crime and change the system that fosters bad behavior into one where every person has a chance to live a successful life.
Join us for a special emergency show on the Fair Sentencing for Juveniles Act with Adam Keigwin, Chief of Staff for Senator Leland Yee, the author of this bill
769 Northwestern Drive
Claremont, CA 91711
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted a stay of execution to death row inmate Hank Skinner Monday, who was scheduled to be executed Nov. 9.
Multiple items from the crime scene have not been tested for DNA. The stay will determine whether the law allows the DNA to be tested.