Category Archives: Uncategorized

No More Deaths in LMDC

Between Nov 29th and Jan 1st four people died while in the custody of Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. On Sunday, January 9th, LMDC announced a fifth death but has not yet named the person. Five deaths in Louisville Metro Department of Corrections cannot be excused or overlooked. Take action now and contact Matthew Golden,Continue reading “No More Deaths in LMDC”

Families Before Profits: Research & Action

Free Telephone and Video Calls Research demonstrates that regular contact is crucial to an incarcerated person’s mental health during confinement, as well as their ability to successfully reintegrate upon release. Providing free telephone calls is not a solution to over-incarceration, but is a key to maintaining contact with families and friends. (Learn more: The Hill:Continue reading “Families Before Profits: Research & Action”

Family Connections = Keys to Reentry

The following letter was written by the Louisville Family Justice Advocates Work Team (Annette Bridges, Leslie Clements, Judi Jennings, Shelton McElroy, LaTonya McNeal, Tony Newberry, Julia Richerson, Savvy Shabazz, All Of Us Or None) and submitted to Louisville Metro Council on June 6, 2021 to call for free phone calls in the Louisville Metro DepartmentContinue reading “Family Connections = Keys to Reentry”

“We Are Not Collateral Consequences”

Children of incarcerated parents are some of the most resilient children, profoundly impacted by a justice system that hardly acknowledges us. It is time to share our voices and experiences of the consequences of our unjust system, so that we can lead the way to meaningful reform. Isabel Coronado, Next100 Policy Leader Here in Kentucky,Continue reading ““We Are Not Collateral Consequences””

Ten Reasons Why Phone Calls From Jail Should Be Free

1. Recognizing and honoring our collective humanity is the right thing to do. 2. Maintaining family connections supports health and wellbeing for both children and their incarcerated loved ones. 3. Strong family connections support successful re-entry when loved ones return home. 4. Staying connected with loved ones reduces children’s stress levels. 5.  It is aContinue reading “Ten Reasons Why Phone Calls From Jail Should Be Free”

Humanity, Transparency, and Accountability

Demanding action from Louisville Metro Department of Corrections On October 5th, LFJA Board members, Special Project art activity leaders and community advocates wrote a letter to the Director and Assistant Director of Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC). With video visiting suspended since March 13th and no consistent public information concerning COVID-19 cases inside theContinue reading “Humanity, Transparency, and Accountability”

Why Prison Phone Justice? Why Now?

In mid-March, the video visiting lobby at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections closed because of COVID-19. Yet, now five months later, there is still no alternative for families to visually see their incarcerated loved ones and no information about when video visiting can resume.

Family Justice is More Important Now Than Ever

In mid-March, the video visiting lobby at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections closed because of COVID-19. Yet, now five months later, there is still no alternative for families to visually see their incarcerated loved ones and no information about when video visiting can resume.

Photography by Layfierre Mitchell

On May 29th, when people in Louisville and across the nation marched in protest of the most recent police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, LFJA community photographer Layfierre Mitchell knew it was a historic moment. He “stands behind the movement,” he says, because “he is living the movement” and “some people have toContinue reading “Photography by Layfierre Mitchell”