|
Back to home » Archives » September 2011
 
A WORTHwhile Cause
by Diana Scholl
Fighting for women in—and after—prison
Imagine giving birth in chains. Or losing custody of your children because you aren’t allowed to contact them. These circumstances face women in prison, whose numbers have swollen by more than 800 percent in three decades. But groups like Women on the Rise Telling HerStory (WORTH) are challenging these policies—and sometimes winning.
 WORTH works to change policy and improve the lives of currently and formerly incarcerated women, who also make up the group. Since the New York group’s 2004 founding, more than 250 women have participated in its workshops and support groups.
“Women are seen as morally inept [if they’ve been in] prison,” says Tina Reynolds, who cofounded WORTH after her own release from jail.
WORTH member Mercedes Smith gave birth while incarcerated 20 years ago. Shackled while in labor on the ride from jail to hospital, she was then handcuffed to the bed rail during delivery.
“I couldn’t understand where they thought I was going in so much pain,” Smith says.
The women of WORTH successfully lobbied New York lawmakers for an anti-shackling bill for women giving birth. All but nine other states still restrain such prisoners.
WORTH also convinced the state legislature to amend the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). While most children of incarcerated parents are placed with relatives, some go into foster care. Parental rights are legally terminated if parents don’t have contact with a child in foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months. But some incarcerated parents are unable to contact their kids. The ASFA amendment allows parental rights to continue if imprisoned parents make good-faith efforts to maintain contact.
WORTH also challenges the war on drugs, which was responsible for more than a quarter of the female prison population in 2005. Black communities are disproportionately represented. The result? Fully 32 percent of women in custody are African American.
“We’re the under-caste,” Reynolds says. “Our work continues the civil rights movement.”
Health After Prison
Transitioning from a life behind bars can stress your health. WORTH members offer these wellness tips for women leaving prison
Relearn healthy eating. “We spend most of our years in prison eating processed food,” says Tina Reynolds of Women on the Rise Telling HerStory (WORTH). “Those foods don’t help your health.” Go to realhealthmag.com for healthy eating tips.
Get tested for HIV. A recent study shows some 9 percent of New York City’s new-to-jail population are HIV positive and almost 30 percent of them have gone undiagnosed. For HIV testing locations and places to connect with care, go to directory.poz.com.
Keep talking. “Women need to sit down and talk openly about what we need,” Mercedes Smith says. “We don’t want to talk about it in a group with men. I feel like I can talk with a bunch of sisters who listen.”
Contact WORTH at 646.918.6858 or at womenontherise-worth.org.
Search: New York, Women on the Rise Telling HerStory, WORTH, prison, Adoption and Safe Families Act, ASFA, Tina Reynolds
Scroll down to comment on this story.
Show comments (7 total)
|
 |
 |
Part of the Solution |
|
|
That’s what CSI: NY regular Hill Harper became when he committed himself to work as an HIV activist.
|
|
|
Simmer Down! |
|
|
With just a bag of nutritious (and cheap!) ingredients and a little bit of time, you can whip up a steaming pot of soup’s healing goodness.
|
|
|
Crisis Management |
|
|
Sickle-cell anemia remains more common among people of African ancestry, but science has made strides in treating this blood-borne disease.
|
|
|
Let’s Keep It Real Healthy! |
|
|
It’s fun to experiment with wigs and other add-ons, but don’t forget to care for your own tresses while you try different faux-hair styles.
|
|
|
Stuff We Love—Fall 2011 |
|
|
A roundup of the latest, must-have finds for hair, skin, health and beauty, these products are worth every cent.
|
|
|
In Your Own Hands |
|
|
While she searched for the magic key to unlock the door to joyfulness, Robin H-C, author of Thinking Your Way to Happy!, learned the only person who stopped her from feeling good was herself.
|
|
|
The Expert Says |
|
|
Everybody wants to be happy, says Manhattan-based psychotherapist Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, but people must learn what happiness really means.
|
|
|
Oh, Happy Day! |
|
|
This community-based intervention program can help depressed elderly blacks "beat the blues."
|
|
|
Cold Comfort |
|
|
'Tis tissue season, but that doesn’t mean you have to catch a nasty cold.
|
|
|
Feeding Frenzy |
|
|
Is that hunger pang a message from your stomach or your brain?
|
|
|
Don’t Kid Around |
|
|
Protect your children from sports injuries and avoid health risks.
|
|
|
Size Matters |
|
|
Docs aren’t addressing obese women’s sex lives.
|
|
|
Ask the Sexpert |
|
|
Sexologist Rachael L. Ross, MD, PhD, a.k.a. Dr. Rachael answers your questions.
|
|
|
|
