“Justice As Healing” Speaker Hosted by First Parish

By Ginni Spencer

The Lyceum Committee of First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist, in collaboration with its Senior Youth Group, hosted Andrea James, founder of “Families for Justice as Healing” (FFJAH) on April 27th.  Ms. James has worked with the criminal justice system for over 25 years as youth worker and former criminal defense attorney.  Perhaps most relevant, she herself spent 24 months in the Federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut.  Ms. James had two children at the time of her incarceration; the youngest was just five months old.  She experienced first-hand and through the eyes of her fellow prisoners the extreme pressure brought to bear on families when a parent is imprisoned.

Although this was not true in her case, many of the women she met were single parents in fragmented families with no one to care for their children.  Out of that experience, Ms. James has written two books: “Upper Bunkies Unite: and Other Thoughts on the Politics of Mass Incarceration” and “Letters to My Children”.  Ms. James founded FFJAH with a focus on the needs of women and children impacted by incarceration and she now works full-time advocating for criminal justice reform.  Although FFJAH places a particular priority on women and children, Ms. James points out that many of the reforms, if enacted, will benefit both male and female prisoners.

Ms. James said that of the 2000 women imprisoned with her during the time she was at Danbury, most had received harsh mandatory minimum sentences for relatively minor offenses; most were first-time offenders; most of the crimes committed were non-violent; and frequently involved drugs.  A significant percentage of the women – around 70% — were the primary care-givers of young children.  Ms. James believes that mandatory minimum sentencing perpetuates the breakdown of families, and the restrictions that apply to people exiting the prisons after time served do little to restore and uphold their role as providers and parents.  For example, if children have been taken by the state as a result of the mother’s incarceration, she must demonstrate “fitness” to have her children returned by getting a job and securing a place to live.  With no money and limited skills, this is extremely difficult to achieve. In Massachusetts, a further complication is the law that automatically suspends a driver’s license upon conviction of any drug offense (not related to driving), and requires payment of a $500 fee (minimum) for reinstatement.

Ms. James advised that FFJAH would participate in a rally at the State House on April 30^th as part of an action calling for Jobs Not Jails.  This action is in support of H.1646 to repeal mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses; in support of S.1643/H.3099 to repeal the law that automatically suspends a person’s driver’s license upon conviction of any drug offense; and House Budget Section 4512-0202 to provide funding to divert people charged with non-violent drug offenses into addiction treatment programs instead of prison.  Copies of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindess” by Michelle Alexander and Cornel West will be delivered to each lawmaker.