Voting is a tool, a rehabilitative tool.
As incarcerated people feel more connected to their communities, they’re less likely to engage in crime. We know that citizens who’re are civically engaged are less likely to recidivate. Understanding this we see voting as a potential tool towards rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals, especially those who are eligible to vote while incarcerated. In an effort to accomplish this, we intend to increase the number of incarcerated citizens who participate in their elections by partnering with jail and detention facilities who house eligible voters in their custody. In service of our facility partners we’ll host Inmate Voter Information Sessions and Registration Sessions. Along with this we provide voters with registration and absentee ballot request applications, sample templates to guide voters through the completion of those applications, postage when necessary for mailing to their local clerk’s office, nonpartisan voter guides to know what’s on the ballot and even reminder postcards mailed from our volunteers directly to eligible incarcerated voters.
Along with voter support, we have services that we provide to impact citizens all year-round. We make it possible for many returning citizens to obtain their missing vital records upon their release from incarceration. We know these documents are essential for returning citizens seeking permanent housing and employment.