“With an unprecedented 2+ million people living behind bars in the United States – 90% of them men – millions of women with incarcerated loved ones are left behind. Today 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 2 Black women has a family member in prison. These women face stigma and isolation and are regularly left to care for kids and finances alone.

Essie Justice Group harnesses the collective power of women with incarcerated loved ones to empower women and end mass incarceration. We are building a loving and powerful network to equip women with the tools and resources to heal family, community, and make social change. Using our Healing to Advocacy curriculum, designed by and for women, we seed groups for women to give and receive support. Together, women access their collective power as leaders and advocates.” ~Essie

Essie Justice Group Survey