Write Patricia a note to provide encouraging words to help keep her spirits up. No envelope or stamps needed - we'll print your note to send for you!

Patricia Waller survived decades of abuse and after fifteen years of incarceration she was transferred to ICE by CDCR on August 31, 2020, the day of her release. ICE took Patricia to Aurora Detention Facility in Colorado, where she remains today and as of November 16, 2020, Patricia tested positive for COVID-19 due to an outbreak at the facility with a 121 total confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Patricia’s story is not uncommon: According to the ACLU nearly 60% of people in women’s prison nationwide, and as many as 94% of some women’s prison populations, have a history of physical or sexual abuse before being incarcerated.

While in prison, Patricia healed from the abuse that she had suffered through support groups and the community of incarcerated survivors around her. She reflected on the harm that she had caused while coping from the abuse and turned her life around becoming a mentor to others in prison. The hardest part of incarceration for Patricia has been separation from family, separation that will become permanent when she is deported to Belize at the end of this year. She explains:

“Being incarcerated takes a lot away from you, especially your mental health. You experience sadness and depression from the loss of your family, children, all the birthdays, holidays, graduation. My parents and family go through the same thing. The sadness and self-blame never fully go away. My father is 82 years old and in poor health. If I’m deported, he’d never see me again."

If you would like to join our community effort in contributing to Patricia's re-entry support fund please Venmo, Ny Nourn at @Ny-Nourn