Reproductive Injustice in Prisons

The practice of forced sterilization was said to have essentially ended when eugenics laws were repealed in California in 1979, but a 2014 state audit found that nearly 800 people in state prisons “underwent various medical procedures that ‘could have resulted in sterilization’ between 2005 and 2013.” These practices are still happening today in California’s jails and prisons. In 2021, the state legislature established the Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program, administered by the California Victim Compensation Board (“CalVCB”), under which survivors could apply to receive financial compensation from the state.

While this compensation program was an important first step in ensuring justice and healing for survivors of forced sterilization, it is only the tip of the iceberg for what is truly needed. Survivors have spoken out about the need for commemoration of the harm caused to them by the state and have created a quilt exhibit to increase public awareness of this issue.

Join the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (“CCWP”) and Black Lantern Books on Saturday, August 23rd at 5:30pm for a showing of the survivor quilt exhibit and panel discussion with directly-impacted community members about the ongoing reproductive violence towards women-identifying individuals in Pr*son. Light food and refreshments will be served.

All are welcome, but capacity is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible via this Eventbrite page!

Info: Panelists include Chyrl Lamar, Hafsah Al-Amin, Leshia, Jennifer James, and Zyaire Smith.

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