1. Building capacity to serve incarcerated, re-entering and jailed survivors of domestic violence

2. Sin By Silence

3. Linking Systems Project Coordinator at ODVN
My background:
Linking Systems Project Coordinator at ODVN
Former Domestic Violence Program Coordinator at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville
Offering domestic violence program support around incarcerated, reentering and jailed domestic violence survivors

4. Facts and statistics
84.6% of incarcerated women report a history of having been abused in adult relationships –Bradley and Davino
As many as 90% of women in prison today for killing men had been battered by those men
--Bradley and Davino
Racism and sexism in courts
Strong data to suggest battered women are judged more harshly, including higher conviction rates and longer sentences than all others charged with homicide
Statistics show that African-American women are convicted at a higher rate than all others.
Male co-defendants in the pool of clients assisted by Justice for Incarcerated Battered Women in were sanctioned less than their female co-defendants, even when those male co-defendants actually committed the homicides
Quilt: female clemency project survivor has been in prison since 1989 on a 20-to life sentence; male co-defendant who actually killed the abuser has been out since 2009

5. 90-100 people die every year in Ohio due to DV
Facts and statistics
Trauma-related challenges for survivors in participating in their own defense
people die every year in Ohio due to DV
0% recidivism for survivors pardoned for killing in self-defense (National stat)
Of the 86 women who killed abusers released through Governor clemency, the recidivism rate for a future violent crime has been 0%

6. Common reasons battered survivors are incarcerated
Killing abuser in self-defense
Child endangerment
Being forced/coerced into participating in a crime (drug deal, robbery, etc
Drug crimes (self-medicating)
Turning to criminal behavior after fleeing from or being robbed by abuser (theft, solicitation)
Police bias at scene
(when they take steps to defend their lives and/or the lives of their children, they face courts that are ill prepared to understand the events that led to their crimes. Someone’s
criminal record is NOT indicative of whether they were the primary aggressor. What does a victim look like? Victims who use illegal force to defend themselves are often not seen as real victims)

7. So… These are really, really our survivors!
Often victims of the most brutal abuse
Assisting this group of survivors embraces inclusivity; confronting oppression/ sexism/racism; violence-free futures; victim- centeredness; fairness
Can demonstrate the effectiveness of programming to other community stakeholders

8. What advocates can do for jailed survivors
Contacting defense attorney essential first step, before talking to survivor
National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women (NCDBW)
Can attend hearing to meet defense council
Bail money; help filing expungement of arrest
Accept collect calls from jails/prisons
Include info in jails/prisons about support offered
NCDBW: nonprofit resource and advocacy center for victims of battering charged with crimes related to their battering. Assist survivors who are arrested and facing trial as well as already serving sentences. Offers TA to victims of battering and their defense team.

9. What advocates can do for jailed survivors
Pre-trial/during trial: be bridge between defendant and attorney and National Clearinghouse
Help with child welfare issues
Assist with transportation, housing, clothes for trial
Accompany defendant to court hearings
Explain legal process in community
If convicted: help cope and prepare for sentencing

10. What advocates can do for jailed survivors
Safety plan should include plan for bail, children, work
Talk to survivor about past experiences of abuse, logistics of legal process - NOT specifics of case
Advocates can be forced to testify; notes can be subject to subpoena
Bullet 1: (legal processes in community, safety planning, etc. What time to arrive in court, where to go in, where to park, what wear, if can bring kids, where to sit, who check in with in courtroom, whether expected to talk, etc.) Lawyers are often not appointed till later, so info needed.

11. What advocates can do for survivors in prison
Connect survivor with organizations that help women prisoners
inform self about experiences of incarcerated women
Facilitate support groups for survivors of domestic violence within the prison or jail
Bullet 2: (triggered, often no DV/emotional support, mistreated, miss their children – lose in 2 years)

12. Challenges of reentry
Restrictions on housing, employment, education, custody of children
Issues with CPO
Need permanent address in order to be released on parole or probation
Lack of DV support in prisons
Trauma was compounded in prison
Criminal record may be misleading to DV agency and social services
Bullet 1: because of a warrant, or may believe stigma would keep them from obtaining. bullet 2: Many are either homeless or from unstable homes prior to incarceration;
Will often provide address to violent home in order to be released, because they have nowhere else to stay

13. Reentry challenges due to abuser’s actions
Abuser now has more weapons to use against survivor
Abuse-related issues in meeting probation officer
Abuser providing drugs
Workplace harassment
Bullet 1: can threaten to call police or probation officer, promise to drop charges); bullet 2: bruises; abuser follows to meetings so can’t talk about abuse; abuser lies to PO

14. Barriers to leaving abuser after reentry
May have nowhere else to live
Barriers to employment post- incarceration
DV programs sometimes unwilling to help
Abuser may have custody of children
Parole conditions
Last bullet: may prohibit survivor from living with other felons, which may rule out willing friends/family

15. Immediate needs upon reentry
Housing (and DV-specific housing advocacy)
Drug and/or mental health treatment
Public benefits
Court assistance (sometimes CPO)
DV advocacy/resources

16. Resources for Advocates
A Toolkit for Systems Advocacy on Behalf of Victims of Battering Charged with Crimes
Issues to Consider When Facilitating Groups with Battered Women in Jail or Prison
Working with Battered Women in Jail: A Manual for Community-Based Battered Women's Advocates

17. ODVN services DV Program Support:
serving victims who are in local jails
support groups in prisons
serving re-entering survivors
Pilot: will be developed and continuously improved with program and survivor feedback
Bullet 1: (how can advocates help them not to be convicted? Proactive actions advocates can take);

18. Shelly Bell, ODVN shellyb@odvn.org
For more information
Shelly Bell, ODVN