A Call For Supporters Of Social & Prison Reform

Seeking Supporters for Social & Prison Reform
06/25/02

Thank you for checking out our petition. This will be utilized to show public officials, the press and other members of our communities that there are those of us in America and throughout the world, who are willing to make a difference. Surviving the System is about change.

Surviving the System is about educating our youth on the consequences of substance abuse and the resultant criminal behaviors. Surviving the System is about educating the public about the needed changes in America's prison system. Surviving the System is about assisting those incarcerated in regaining hope, rebuilding self-esteem and accepting responsibility for previous choices, as well as providing them with the needed tools to do so. We are about providing prisoners with resources to have a jump start on a new and productive lifestyle when they return to society, as most of them do return. Surviving the System is about program development for youth and prisoners, for those inside and out of prison walls. We are about helping families survive being involved in the system, be it the criminal justice system, family courts, or substance abuse related charges. We are about hope; we are about change!

There have been some recent developments which lead the founder of Surviving the System and its supporters to make some serious public announcements. The findings have been substantiated and it is time to take a stand.

If you are one of those people or organizations who are out there trying to make a difference, we would like to have your support. All we need is your name and/or organization. Let's show the powers that be that we are willing to do what it takes to improve the conditions in our country, our communities, our schools and in our prisons.

Due to budget cuts, many facilities no longer have the needed programs available to those seeking help. We are hoping with your participation that we can gain the cooperation of said facilities to assist those in prison. We have been met with resistance in certain facilities. It appears they do not like the fact that these men and women are actually changing for the better.

One facility has arbitrarily cut off all communications from a group of prisoner members and the founder of STS, including three visitation requests (without providing an explanation.). Letters, packages and phone call privileges have been removed. There has been NO reason given for these decisions, even when a letter was sent to the Warden requesting an explanation for the denial in visitation. First amendment violations do not appear to mean anything to this Administration. What do they have to hide? With your support, perhaps we can find out. There is much more to this story, information that would make you ill, but this must be held in confidence until the appropriate time.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Founder of Surviving the System at the following address: [email protected]


We do not ask for much, but this time we REALLY need your support! Please take the time to pass this on to other groups and email lists for those who might be willing to support us in our efforts.

Respectfully,

Traci Lister
www.SurvivingTheSystem.com
Joining together to make a difference...