Resources: Learning About Death By Incarceration
Life After Life is an organization created by individuals formerly serving a life sentence without parole. Also known as “death by incarceration,” the United States is the only country that life sentences without parole to be imposed on minors, according to the Juvenile Law Center. Those involved with the organization established a support system for returning citizens. Life After Life’s mission is as follows:
First, to educate not only those in a position to create change, but also the general public about the consequences of extremely lengthy sentences for youth. Second, to work with the media to promote individual stories of transformation and redemption. Third, to support similar organizations advocating for children headed by those who were formerly incarcerated. And finally, to develop youth outreach and intervention strategies to curb the epidemic of violence and drug abuse that is prevalent within many high schools across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The group pioneered by Abd’Allah Lateef aims to support those formerly serving life sentences by giving them a platform to tell their stories, as well as to educate the general public on these sentences. Life After Life is a new organization, but there are others like it that support returning citizens as well.
The Sentencing Project does everything that Life After Life aims to do: support, educate, tell stories and incite action. Each tab on their website covers each of these areas. The website includes policies, information related to gender and race, and quick facts that are easily digestible by the general public. This site is less personal and doesn’t tell stories of these individuals, so that is a gap Life After Life aims to fill in.
The Dream Corps includes campaigns like Dignity for Incarcerated Women among others. The site also gives updates about initiatives and people who are returning into society from prison. There are board members with personalized bios, information and a place to donate to the organization.
The Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration (CADBI) specifically works to establish legislation to ban life sentences without parole in PA. This campaign lists demands and ways for people to get involved. Their website doesn’t offer extensive information, but those who are interested are encouraged to attend meetings.
The Appeal shows what Death By Incarceration looks like through the people that it affects. This site brings in media in the form of news articles, podcasts, explainers, etc. that bring this issue to life. Immigration and policing are also part of their cause.
All of these organizations have the same end goal: end life sentences for minors and thus death by incarceration. For more information, visit these sites and visit Life After Life for more information.
Further reading:
Reflective essay from Abd’Allah Lateef published by Juvenile Law Center
Podcast interview with Lateef published by The Appeal
