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We’re here live at the Free Them CA Panel and Letter Writing event discussing the intersection of criminalization & surviving gender based violence. We have an amazing panel of survivors sharing their stories: Barbara Chavez, Tammy Garvin, Kelly Savage, Ny Nourn, & Aminah Elster.
Q: How did you feel being sentenced to life and how did you survive it? Kelly had to repeatedly explain that she had been sentenced to LWOP because her loved ones couldn’t comprehend that (as an official once explained), it was “death row, just another type of death row.”
Barbara: Never believed would be incarcerated for the rest of her life. She got educated and started believing in her freedom. In her 18th year, she got commuted.
Tammy: Signed up for lifer groups and people often asked her why she bothered. She replied that you never know, things can change. Started going to classes, became a counselor, and attended DV courses. She was was one of 10 picked for commutation.
Brandy: While in prison, in the first year she thought she’d never be beaten again. But also if she was never beaten, she’d never be loved again. The abuse taught her to equate being beaten with being love. DV programs finally came to prison and she finally opened up.
Q: Can you share something about those still incarcerated and what we can do to amplify their voices? Ny: Survivors feel a lot of guilt and shame. Survivors inside need to know they’re loved and cared for, that they’re more than the label put on them.
Brandy: LWOP is generally their first crime. Their crime doesn’t define who they are. Many inside, while they want to get out, they believe they don’t deserve to get out. But they do.
Barbara: Folks on LWOP are often making this happen in prison, despite not qualifying for programs that those who are non-LWOP. We need to support them.
Tammy: LWOPs are often pushed to the side. Do a petition for some of these folks on LWOP. Write to the Governor for them. Stand together to help them out.
Kelly: Was fortunate to have the support of orgs like S&P who were able to get her story out & she received hundreds of support letters. Knows how powerful it is to receive a letter from someone saying they believe her about the abuse she suffered. Wishes that for all survivors.
Gabby: We’re not defined by being survivors of domestic violence. People outside advocating on our behalf are the motor that keep this moving. We need more people like that.
Q: What’s next for you?
Kelly: Has a job working to #DropLWOP. 5209 LWOPs right now in CA. Need that to change!
Ny: As a community advocate, want to #AbolishICE. Gov. Newsom vetoed AB 1282, which would have reduced ICE turnovers in prison. System is built to criminalize most marginalized people. Grateful to be part of a movement with amazing folks and orgs, and will continue doing that.
Q: What did the attorneys you interacted with do that was helpful or not helpful? Barbara: Attorney who helped get her released helped her gain insight, which she needed to get out.
Q: How do we hold corrupt officials accountable? Aminah: Get knowledgeable, vote for policies that will make things better. There was a bill that failed to reinstate voting rights for folks on parole. Need measures like this.
Q: What can survivors do to support criminalized survivors?
Kelly: Support by signing cards for #DropLWOP campaign and for individual survivors.
Brandy: We’re all survivors. Write a letter, show up to court even if you don’t know the person.
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