Created in 1991, the Women in Prison Project is the arm of the CA dedicated to addressing the effects of the state’s criminal justice policies on women and their families.

Recognizing that incarceration is an ineffective and inhumane response to the social ills facing women, the Project advocates for a shift in government priorities away from prison and toward alternative programs where a woman can stay connected to her family, address underlying issues, and become a productive member of society. 

Under the CA’s legislative mandate, the Project has the unique authority to monitor conditions inside women’s correctional facilities in New York State.  Additionally, the Project publishes reports and policy papers; manages ReConnect, a leadership training program for formerly incarcerated women; conducts public education and legislative advocacy; and coordinates the Coalition for Women Prisoners, a statewide alliance of more than 1,000 individuals from over 100 organizations. 

Through these integrated and strategic efforts, the Project strives to create a criminal justice system that addresses women’s specific needs and that treats people and their families with fairness, dignity and respect. 

What we have recently accomplished

• Publishing and distributing When “Free” Means Losing Your Mother: The Collision of Child Welfare and the Incarceration of Women in New York State, which analyzes the devastating impact of maternal incarceration and proposes policy reforms that would enable New York to better address the difficulties faced by families torn apart by prison. 

• Initiating a project to monitor conditions inside women’s prisons and gather information using gender-specific research tools; and publishing reports on conditions at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, New York’s only maximum security facility for women, Albion Correctional Facility, the state’s largest prison for women, and a seperate report on mental health programs at Bedford Hills.

• Launching ReConnect, a semi-annual leadership training program for women who have recently returned home from prison or jail.  Fifty-eight women have successfully completed the ReConnect program thus far. 

• Organizing the Coalition’s 13th annual Advocacy Day, bringing 300 formerly incarcerated women and other advocates to Albany to discuss issues affecting women in prison and their families with over 140 legislators.

• Publishing the Coalition’s Proposals for Reform, a document detailing the most pressing issues facing currently and formerly incarcerated women and outlining the Coalition’s policy priorities, positions on prison-related legislation, and proposals for administrative, legislative and budgetary reforms in New York.

• Securing enactment of legislation under which domestic violence survivors incarcerated for defending themselves are now eligible for participation in temporary release programs, including work release. 

• Persuading the State Legislature to allocate funds to establish a program to enhance the visitation program for mothers confined at Albion Correctional Facility (near Rochester) and their children. 

What we are doing now                    

• Conducting monitoring visits to women’s correctional facilities and writing a State of the Women’s Prisons report – the first of its kind in the country –  which will include recommendations for system-wide improvements.

• Continuing to develop ReConnect, hone the curriculum, and launch a Peer Leader Initiative for program graduates.

• Coordinating and expanding the Coalition and its four sub-committees: Violence Against Women; Incarcerated Mothers; Conditions of Confinement; and Re-entry, and conducting educational presentations for organizations about issues facing currently and formerly incarcerated women and ways to get involved in our advocacy efforts.