Hey John, 

As we come to the end of Women’s History Month, a time in which we’ve celebrated the accomplishments of women and the contributions they’ve made to the U.S., we also want to highlight the unique challenges women have faced and continue to face in the criminal legal system.

April is Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to bring awareness to the collateral consequences of a criminal record. Every person has dignity and potential, but the collateral consequences of being justice-involved are often barriers to long-term success and stability.

In recognition of the intersection of these two initiatives, I wrote a piece highlighting four ways young women, especially BIPOC women, are impacted by the criminal legal system.

Here's a quick preview.

1. There are 1.2 million women under the supervision of the criminal justice system. Since 1980, the incarceration of women has increased by 700 percent, an increase overly represented by BIPOC women.
2. Women in the justice system are impacted by multiple histories of abuse. Many women in the criminal legal system are faced with unique challenges, namely a history of abuse. 60 percent of women in state prisons in the U.S. have a history of physical or sexual abuse before their incarceration.
3. The criminal justice system is a HUGE barrier to reproductive justice for women (and for everyone!). Regardless of whether people carry to term, end their pregnancy, or experience a miscarriage, too many justice-involved women are denied essential reproductive healthcare, compromising their self determination and reproductive autonomy.
4. A criminal history impacts women’s economic security and stability. The collateral consequences of a conviction disparately impact a woman’s ability to gain housing, education, and employment. BIPOC women, who are some of the most vulnerable members of society, are made even more vulnerable by the justice system.

Visit genprogress.org to get more key facts about women in the criminal legal system.

This is just the first in a series of resources and actions Generation Progress will put out on the criminal legal system during Second Chance Month. Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action throughout April!

Best,

Edwith Theogene
Director of Advocacy
Generation Progress