Project Brief

Documenting the stories and analysis of women with currently or formerly incarcerated loved ones to illuminate the struggles and power of women impacted by mass incarceration.

Research Action Design is partnering with the Essie Justice Group to develop original research to document the stories and analysis of women with currently or formerly incarcerated loved ones. This research is intended to illuminate the struggles and power of women impacted by mass incarceration and locates these struggles within a broader historical and contemporary analysis of mass incarceration and patriarchy in the United States.

This participatory research project is grounded in the perspective that women with incarcerated loved ones are the experts, and their experiences, insights, and vision offer the most powerful and meaningful articulation of the problems and solutions required to bring about lasting social change. It encompasses a transformative research agenda that more broadly shares Essie’s vision of leadership development, mutual support, and healing.

Resource: "Because She's Powerful: The Political Isolation and Resistance of Women With Incarcerated Loved Ones."