Run on sentences

…in Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, women sit as they lose years of moments and milestones shared with friends, parents, children and countless others, causing heartache and pain, but the freedom of being released comes with discrimination, marginalization, misrepresentation, more time lost, opportunities to build a better life — for themselves and their families — taken away, driven to find familiar paths forward and the sentence continues with no end in sight…

Unlocking employment after prison

For many women who have experienced prison, their sentences continue well after being released. One of the biggest challenges they face is post-prison employment.

These are stories of women who have overcome the barriers of having a criminal background and are now building their futures.

Kari: Treating people with value

Kari knows a thing or two about how to treat people, and yourself. As an educator for Mercy Corps small business program, the first thing she tells her students is that if they don’t take care of themselves, they’re not going to be able to take care of business. When you let yourself down, you let your client down. She knows how important this lesson can be, because she’s lived it.

Reflecting on her life, now as a middle-aged woman, Kari thought her life was going to be all green Jell-O Tuesdays and sitcoms. After taking the time she needed and focusing on herself, she is now working her dream career, combining all the skills she built up throughout her path and somewhat ragtag work history, as well as her long-standing passion for human rights. Always being the one marching, petitioning and blogging, her stance as a fiery social activist is now a useful part of her work life and her long standing beliefs rooted in each human having inherent value has become part of her lesson plan.

Now, she not only practices what she preaches, but she professionally preaches what she has practiced throughout her life.

Find the facts about people in prison

One of the best ways to understand the challenges they face after prison is to first learn more about how many people like Kari there are. She and other women who have experienced prison are mothers, sisters, daughters, friends and neighbors just like anyone else and are part of communities across the country.

Sammie: Taking action while taking care

Sammie lives a busy, yet intentional life. She’s constantly helping people in her community get back on their feet. Not only does Sammie do this as a lead optician at local non-profit Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, but she also spends a generous portion of her free time bouncing across town assisting people in writing resumes and cover letters, providing connections and networks, and transporting them to interviews.

Amidst her selfless schedule, Sammie prioritizes time to focus on herself and her own well being. She believes wholly in the power of meditation and giving oneself the time to re-center. Sammie’s cats and bearded dragon aid her in this down time, and bring her the daily spark of joy she needs to keep pushing forward in a world where, in her own acknowledging words, it’s often easier to give up than to keep trying.

Stay active and informed

Mercy Corps Northwest has helped Sammie and hundreds of other women like her push forward, providing business education and plans for starting a life outside of prison.

Cheyenne: Learning to pivot

Daily life for Cheyenne looks consistent and structured, which is the way she likes it. But it wasn’t always that way, and she says that the only way she got to that point of stability was actually by being flexible. For Cheyenne’s life, this meant not putting all her eggs in one basket and the ability to pivot through life’s woes; not letting setbacks stop her for more than a second, but rather, simply readjusting her stance and continuing her walk forward. This tactic landed her a job in sales calls at Resultli, where she prides herself on being one of the top employees in the company.

Being in a workforce that she would’ve never seen herself in before, Cheyenne is grateful for the flexibility that lead her down this path. Everyday at work is a new challenge that she’s ready for, and undeniably good at tackling. Hand in hand with an energetic work life, is her spiritual practice, which brings her peace, positive relationships, and contentment. She’s grateful for things like having a nice, reliable car for the first time in her life as a 46 year old, and getting to go to Las Vegas with her son. All in all, the ability to pivot in life has given her a confidence that has changed her life: “I know now that if I’m completely honest with myself and I do my best, I will find good opportunities.”

Help transform your workplace

Many people don’t know the hiring practices at their own companies, but we can change that. Here’s a three-step guide for you to help open employment opportunities for women in our LIFE program and others.

Going through this step-by-step is just one small action that can add up to make a big difference for women with criminal histories.

Isis: Advocating for yourself

Mother and master tradeswoman, Isis is a woman who hasn’t let the trials of her life hold her back in the slightest. Instead, she lets the hard lessons be a catalyst of her success, stating bravely “I’ve been through too much for me to not keep pushing forward.” Isis juggles an Electrician apprenticeship alongside other her other passionate pursuits, including being on the board of Oregon Tradeswomen, the action committee for Women’s Justice Project, and a Forklift Trainer at Portland Community College.

While on maternity leave with a darling newborn, she emphasized the importance of being open to changing and editing your goals and reframing what you want, which is something being a mother continues to teach her daily. Amidst devoted motherhood, that may look like stepping down from opportunities to make sure she has adequate time to grow and explore with her family. During the hard times, she takes more action in maintaining her body and mind; running five miles a day, practicing mindfulness, and most importantly, stepping away from bad relationships. Isis says that it all comes down to realizing that she had to advocate for herself to survive. And now, she’s able to thrive.

Get the truth on unjust wages

Women like Isis thrive when they have access to opportunities and the financial footing to build their lives. You can help the women with criminal records in your area by learning more about what they earn and advocating for fair wages.

Artist statement

“The inspiration for this project came from attending a LIFE graduation. At every graduation, the women are given the opportunity to speak about their experience in the course. Inspiring, and often emotional, the speeches all conveyed such gratitude to have been given a second chance.

In my pursuit to do more, I knew these stories needed to be told outside of the context of their environment. Prison lighting, like prison clothes, is not flattering. The white backdrop eliminates prison from the background and removes judgments of one’s past. It’s a clean slate that is intended to showcase the achievements of these women, whether getting a job, gaining custody of a child, or being independent. This work celebrates beating the odds.

Thank you to Mercy Corps Northwest for trusting me with this work. And to all the women who fearlessly told their stories – thank you, it’s been an honor to spend time with each of you.”

-Grace Young

All photography by Grace Young
All interviews by Lorraine Olivia Hamberger

Free to build better lives

Mercy Corps Northwest has been working in the prison and re-entry space for over 10 years. To help women find their paths forward after prison, the LIFE program guides them through a 32-week course where they create their own small business plans.

Using the job skills, savings plans, resumes, cover letters and entrepreneurial mindset they’ve gained, 90% of LIFE graduates go on to secure employment or continue their post-secondary education within 30 days of their release from prison.

While more than 300 women have participated in our program so far, this essential programming is on hold at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The future of LIFE is at risk, but you can help ensure it continues to connect women to opportunities after prison.