Art by Fernando Marti, Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative
The Prisoner Solidarity Phone Lines are a volunteer-run initiative by Critical Resistance (CR) to build connections and support abolitionist organizing with imprisoned comrades. Our goal is to create political relationships and break cycles of isolation, not to serve as a resource hotline or service provider. We engage in discussions about abolitionist struggles, share updates, and build solidarity.
As a political organization working to abolish the prison industrial complex (PIC), CR has had a practice of accepting imprisoned people’s collect calls through our national office in Oakland, CA for years as one line of communication across walls and cages. Imprisoned people in jails, detention centers, and prisons nationally call our office to speak with CR. In 2020, after COVID-19 protocol moved the organization to close our office and work from home, we expanded our call system so that prisoners could still contact CR, answering calls remotely. Our phone lines are now run by a national network of dozens of volunteers who help build vital relationships for the organization with people locked up in cages.
By offering abolitionist resources and advocacy tools for imprisoned people to use in their resistance while locked up, and by sharing CR chapter organizing updates as well as campaign news and advances so that CR’s work is informed by directly impacted communities, CR’s Prisoner Solidarity Phone Lines strive to foster strong political relationships with people across the PIC’s cages.
Are you or someone you know locked up in jail, prison or detention center and are looking for political resources? Call 510-444-0484 during Prisoner Solidarity Phone Line hours every Friday through Monday, 8am-6pm PT / 11am-9pm ET.
Every week, CR volunteers and members answer our Prisoner Solidarity Phone to talk with imprisoned people and connect them to political resources for PIC abolition.
What to Expect When You Call:
Calls are answered by CR volunteers from across the country, Friday through Monday, from 8 AM to 6 PM PST.
We discuss political struggles, share information on abolitionist efforts, and support organizing inside and outside prison walls.
Volunteers rotate shifts, so the same person may not answer every time you call.
This is not a rapid-response service, but we will do our best to listen and engage meaningfully.
We cannot offer legal advice, financial assistance, or direct services.
We uphold an abolitionist approach, prioritizing collective care and resistance against the prison system’s harm and isolation.
How to Contact Us:
Prisoner Solidarity Phone Line 510-444-0484
Hours:
Friday through Monday, 8am to 6pm PST / 11am to 9pm EST
Outside Volunteers Needed!
Are you an outside ally who is not locked up but want to support CR?
CR is recruiting both chapter and at-large members to join our Prisoner Solidarity Phone Line program!
Help CR stay connected to our imprisoned comrades, break cycles of isolation, and connect people inside with CR’s work, campaigns, and organizing resources by signing up to be a phone line volunteer today! Volunteer shifts happen in two-hour blocks at the hour.
CR is looking for folks to take on one-to-two two-hour shifts per month. Our phone lines have been a vital resource and project that helps us reach our organization’s mission. Because phone line volunteers represent CR as an organization to everyone who calls from inside a cage, there is an extensive training series all volunteers must complete before taking on shifts. Volunteers are also supported by a strong coordination team who assist all volunteers with developing the skills needed to represent CR and connect with imprisoned people well.
