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So many folks I encountered in prison had this shared baseline of trauma. Everybody had some form of violence and hurt and harm that happened before they got there.

– Rev. Sharon White-Harrigan, Executive Director, Women’s Community Justice Association

Women & Incarceration: Domestic Violence and Trauma

The Incarceration of Trans,
Nonbinary & Gender Expansive People

Our young [trans] girls… [are] told very early on that they’re disposable. They lose their ability to believe in their talents, their ability to lead, to be able to exact change… I’d like to say to them, don’t give up, keep fighting, keep that resilience, and keep that brilliance.

– Shea Diamond, artist & activist

Shackling pregnant women violates human rights and illuminates the criminal legal system’s culture of punishment. This happens because we do not value women of color and women from low-income communities. Formerly and currently incarcerated women continue to drive anti-shackling reforms with their expertise and brilliance. Valuing this leadership is what we need in our movement and our society.

– Miyhosi Benton, policy expert and leader in NY’s successful 2015 anti-shackling campaign

Incarcerated Women: Pregnancy, Childbirth, & Shackling

Incarcerated Mothers & Their Children

We do not believe that incarcerated mothers and their children were sentenced to lose each other.... The fact that the mother has made a serious error does not negate motherhood, nor should it condemn children to lose their rights to the support and guidance of their mother. To profoundly disrupt family relations during the mother’s imprisonment is to sentence the children to possible life-long injury.

- Precious Bedell and Kathy Boudin

The Foster Care Handbook for Incarcerated Parents, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, 1993

Formerly incarcerated women leaders stand with women and all people behind bars today and every day. Governor Cuomo should take the important step of releasing people in prisons and jails as the threat of death by incarceration posed by COVID-19 looms large.

– Serena Martin, Executive Director, New Hour for Women and Children Long Island

COVID-19 in New York Prisons & Jails

Jess jackson

Executive Director

Jess Jackson is a dynamic and creative professional with expertise in operations, program planning, organizing, and arts-based advocacy, committed to driving meaningful social change by cultivating highly functional organizations and innovative programming. To all aspects of her career, Jess brings a lifelong passion for the arts and a deep commitment to social justice. In summer 2026, Jess became Executive Director of WJP, leading the organization’s strategy, development, programs and partnerships. For 7 years prior, Jess served as WJP Director of Operations & Arts Advocacy, spearheading operations efforts and leading arts-based and culture change initiatives including creative arts programming at two New York women’s prisons. Prior to joining WJP, Jess worked in sales, business management, and arts administration with organizations including Marriott, Google, and the School of Visual Arts. She is known for developing highly impactful initiatives and programs for organizations looking to carry out their work in ways that are more effective, capacious, and values aligned. With a versatile skillset spanning operations, strategy, program planning, organizing, creative project management, and events, Jess brings an interdisciplinary flair to her work, and a dedication to advancing the brilliant work and vision of WJP’s staff and partners. Jess holds a BA from the University of Michigan, lives in Brooklyn with her family, and in her spare time enjoys volunteering with Narrows Botanical Gardens, traveling, reading, writing, and leaning into her creative pursuits.