Incarcerated women are mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, friends, grandmothers and granddaughters. Oftentimes they are caretakers for their entire family and are the glue that holds everything together.
While we work to decarcerate VT and eventually our nation, let's not forget those currently suffering, who are currently incarcerated, around half of which are detained but not sentenced.
The Canteen Fund connects community members to currently incarcerated individuals by facilitating direct donations to their commissary account at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. A prison commissary sells essential basic necessities including hygiene products, food, letter writing supplies, and phone credits to communicate with friends and family. Unfortunately, the state and the corporations who supply incarcerated individuals with necessities for living exploit these women with overpriced, low-quality products as their only option available. Truly, it’s a monopoly; but at the moment it is what’s available. Ultimately, the only way to communicate is the prison telephone or tablet, which is overseen by the same company. Communication with friends and family, food, coffee, hygiene, and even religious items are all purchased through the same account.
Even when working a job within the facility (which can take up to 6 months to obtain), it is difficult for incarcerated people to afford necessities at the commissary (the pay rate per day is around $3). Many people do not have anyone on the outside who can help.
Your donation of $30 is a powerful and direct way to show solidarity and support to our incarcerated community members.
Here’s what you can do:
Fill out the attached form. We’ll email you back with the name, ID number, and location of an incarcerated person.
Go to Access Corrections (https://www.accesscorrections.com) and select Vermont from the drop-down menu. From the next drop-down menu, select Vermont Department of Corrections, and then Chittenden Regional Correctional Center (CRCF).
Enter the person’s name and/or number.
Create a login and use your debit card, not your credit card in order to avoid extra fees. Deposit $30.00 to their account.
Take a screenshot or forward the receipt to vermont@thecouncil.us to confirm.
Thank you for your kindness and contribution!
#FreeHer
#NoNewWomensPrison
