CR’s Prisoner Mail Program is a chapter-based initiative by Critical Resistance (CR) that facilitates correspondence with imprisoned people across the US. Our goal is to build political relationships and resist the isolation imposed by the prison industrial complex (PIC). We engage in conversation, share abolitionist resources, and amplify the voices of those inside. However, this is not a rapid-response program, and we cannot guarantee immediate replies. Due to the collective nature of our work, responses may come from different volunteers over time.
How It Works:
- Imprisoned people write to us seeking political discussion, abolitionist resources, and tools for self-determination.
- CR volunteers from across the country read and respond to letters as capacity allows.
- We cannot guarantee that the same volunteer will reply to each letter.
- While we strive to maintain regular correspondence, response times may vary.
How to Contact Us:
Critical Resistance
Attn: Prisoner Mail Program
PO Box 22780
Oakland, CA 94609
More about CR’s Mail Program
One of the first projects Critical Resistance (CR) organized was prisoner correspondence through chapter mail programs. Currently, each of our chapters support the organization nationally to correspond regularly with people locked in jails, detention centers and prisons. Chapters host prisoner solidarity mail nights and work parties where volunteers outside the organization can come and help respond to mail from prisoners.
Prisoner mail is an essential part of Critical Resistance’s work building politicized relationships with imprisoned people. Through prisoner mail, we connect prisoners to different political, legal, health and study resources to fuel their resilience and resistance against imprisonment and criminalization. Our prisoner mail programs have allowed the organization to build strong, long-term relationships with many prisoners over the years. Through these relationships Critical Resistance (CR) has been able to connect with imprisoned authors and artists for our inside-outside newspaper, The Abolitionist, as well as support prisoner-led resistance such as prisoner mutual aid efforts, hunger strikes, and prisoner-run study groups.
As part of our work building relationships with people locked up, our Prisoner Mail Program helps CR send a holiday mailing with messages of solidarity every December to all of our contacts inside and connect prisoners to subscribe to our newspaper The Abolitionist. A few times, our mail program has led to CR creating more formal inside-outside study groups where prisoners and outside comrades engage in political education together. Learn more about CR’s prisoner solidarity organizing here.
Are you or someone you know locked up in jail, detention, or prison and are looking for political resources while imprisoned?
Write to Critical Resistance’s National Office and we’ll direct your letter to your corresponding chapter:
Critical Resistance
Attn: Mail Program
PO Box 22780
Oakland CA 94609
Are you an outside ally / not currently locked up and interested in supporting our prisoner mail programs?
Contact a chapter nearest to you and join us!
- Portland’s Prisoner Mail Program: crpdx@criticalresistance.org
- New York City’s Prisoner Mail Program: crnyc@criticalresistance.org
- Oakland’s Prisoner Mail Program: croakland@criticalresistance.org or sign up for our Volunteer List to get the information needed to attend!
- Los Angeles’ Mail Program: Learn more & RSVP on the form here!