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The debate over the future of @USPS has often overlooked one key group: the 2.2 million people in prison and jail. Mail is a critical lifeline for many incarcerated people. Here are 8 reasons why dismantling the Post Office would be devastating to people behind bars.
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While only a handful of states allow people in prison to vote, those in jail awaiting trial are still eligible. People have to register via the mail and vote by absentee ballot. Mail delays could mean their votes aren’t counted. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/06/11/in-just-two-states-all-prisoners-can-vote-here-s-why-few-do">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/06/1...
Many incarcerated people and their families stay in touch via letters, birthday cards, drawings & pictures. States have already started cracking down on physical mail, citing security issues. Gutting the Post Office could make it even harder to communicate https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/03/02/no-glitter-no-glue-no-meth">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/03/0...
The @USPS is critical to ensuring that incarcerated people have access to the courts. Many people in prison file their own appeals and motions via mail. Timely mail delivery gets their paperwork postmarked and received by court-mandated deadlines. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2014/11/15/death-by-deadline-part-one">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2014/11/1...
Email, texts and video calls are expensive behind bars. Without @USPS many incarcerated people would be forced to use these costly and problematic platforms to stay in touch with family and friends. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/19/can-you-hear-me-now?te=1&nl=race/related&emc=edit_rr_20200825">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/1...
Prisons are like black boxes in which little information comes in and even less gets out. Journalists, advocates and lawyers rely on mail from incarcerated people to expose abuse and wrongdoing. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/17/how-to-fix-our-prisons-let-the-public-inside">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/1...
Many prisons are in rural areas, which aren’t often serviced by private mail companies. The @USPS, however, keeps rural America connected. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/18/the-long-journey-to-visit-a-family-member-in-prison">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/1...
Some people in prison take college and other classes via correspondence with an outside institution. The curriculum is mailed in, completed, and returned via the mail. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/05/04/can-college-programs-in-prison-survive-covid-19">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/05/0...
Some incarcerated people find love and connection by sending personal ads through the mail. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/02/12/prison-personals">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/02/1...
Do you have a loved one in prison or jail? Let us know how the Post Office helps you keep in touch with someone behind bars using the hashtag #MailBehindBars.
