"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Ten million people cycle through our jails every year. The abuses they endure, the diseases they contract, the traumas they suffer inevitably come back to haunt the rest of society. There is no Iron Curtain separating them from us. They are us."
— Alan Elsner
STOP PRISON ABUSE | HOME
It is a common belief that our federal prison system has standards in place that protect prisoners against abuse. The current system (the Administrative Grievance Procedure) by which prisoners file complaints does not safeguard them from abuse and rights violations. This system needs to be examined and reassessed. It utterly fails to protect prisoners from abuse.
It is a common belief that health care to prisoners is monitored and that standards are upheld. But health care to prisoners is poor, inadequate, and hurtful to both prisoners and the general public.
A thorough and independent investigation into the Federal Bureau of Prisons would find: the use of excessive force and physical punishment, lack of adequate medical and mental health care, and lack of both education and rehabilitation programs. It is a self-policed system rife with corruption, and one that is hostile toward the well being of prisoners.
People can make terrible mistakes-some with tragic, irredeemable costs. They are incarcerated in prison as punishment, not to be punished. New York Times columnist, Bob Herbert wrote: "Very few Americans have raised their voices in opposition to our shameful prison policies. And I'm convinced that's primarily because the inmates are viewed as less than human."
Please help change this mind set. Sign this petition, urging Congress to exercise its authority to investigate the abuse and neglect (physical, psychological, and medical) of prisoners.
Endorse our petition to Congress
Seeking an outside investigation into the treatment of federal prisoners, which
will bring change to state prisons as well.
*PLEASE NOTE: Do not use this petition to contact stopprisonabuse.org.
To contact us directly, please click here.