Trans Pride Initiative

Prison Committee / Prison Letter Writers Virtual Meetup

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Remote Participation: We always need people to help write letters, and we encourage people around the nation and even around the world to join us! All you need is an internet connection and a willingness to help our siblings in prison!

Seeking Spanish language writers: We are always seeking more people to help with Spanish letters and translations.

Ideally we would like several people to share the work. If any of the persons who have written Spanish letters in the past are interested in writing, we would love to have you join us again, as well as new persons! We never want anyone to feel overwhelmed with the demands of this work, so we try to spread it out!

Our meetings are informal and the agenda can be changed, so let us know if there is something you want added!

1. Intros and check-ins

2. Updates and general info shares

• Update from Dani discussing Ms. Snuggles' proposal for a new program: Many regular writers know Ms. Snuggles . . . she is trying to start a new program  addressing self-harm and peer support, and is asking for advice. Dan is working with her. We will discuss and see if we can help her.
• Reporter Reminder: If you feel a trans or intersex person may be a good contact for a reporter, ask them if it is ok if we provide their contact information to journalists. We will be keeping track of who is ok having their contact info shared with reporters so we can more quickly respond to legit journalist requests.
• Open discussion of any other information or relevant knowledge to share with others?

3. Discussion and questions about letters you are working on

4. Letter example (login required to see letters)

• This week we will talk about an uncomfortable letter and the impact it had. The letter is discussed in Bobbie's letter to Nell of January 25, 2025. Although Bobbie was happy with the impact, what may have been a better way to address this issue?
• As we have time, for the next several meetings, we will discuss excerpts from a conversation Nell had with an advocate in Connecticut that works with people in TDCJ. This person has coordinated and worked with TPI for several years, and this text is what was provided when Nell asked questions about how they do advocacy.
  
• And as always, bring up a letter you have seen but don't know how to address, we can put it on the list to talk about! This doesn't have to be a TPI letter, it can be any prison letter.

5. Go over letter writing process for new folks, if needed

The main link you need is the link to our prison letters tracking tool, which is where we find who to write and log letters completed.

For access, you will need a password. Just click register on the login screen and follow the instructions. If you have trouble, please let Nell know at nell@tpride.org.

And our public data explorer tool gives part of the larger picture to which you are contributing!

Our blog has a Prison Abolition Resources page here. We welcome your suggestions for additions!

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Our mailing address is:

Trans Pride Initiative

P.O. Box 3982

Dallas, TX 75208

Our physical address is:

907 Morrell Avenue, Suite 101, Dallas, Texas 75203