An Open Letter Behind Bars:

"My name is Hamedah Hasan (formerly known as Stephanie Lomax). I am a daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. I have been incarcerated since May 14, 1993 and I have approximately nine (9) years remaining on my sentence. To some people this may not seem like a big deal. After all, I did commit a crime and I must pay for that. I do accept responsibility for my actions that lead me here. However, the whole idea of spending 23-1/2 years in prison to the 25 I lived prior to my incarceration for a first-time, non-violent offense is absolutely cruel and barbaric.

"I am one of many first time, non-violent offenders traveling this very path without an opportunity to earn a second chance. Instead we look at spending the next 9, 10, 20, and for some, the remainder of our natural lives in prison. Meanwhile, the taxpayer dollars are not only being carelessly spent paying  exorbitant costs for long term incarceration but to also support our children in our absence.

As a nation we face many challenges, and I do not claim to know all the answers. However, I do know that locking people up and throwing away the key does not solve our problems. Contrary to public sentiment, prisons warehouse. They are not structured to rehabilitate.

"Thank you and God's peace be upon you"

excerpts from an Open Letter From Hamedah Hasan
seen on perversionofjustice.com

Hamedah fled from an abusive relationship and sought refuge at the home of her cousin, who was selling drugs. When her cousin was arrested, prosecutors also charged Hamedah as a conspirator in the drug-selling operation.

It is not a new story. It is not a unique story.

Hamedah's story offers only a glimpse at a penal system stained with issues of such a painful magnitude. And that's why most Americans are comfortable keeping these uncomfortable realities at bay. After all, when our lives are already laden with our own overflow of issues, challenges and grievances to deal with, why spend the time and emotional effort on the lives of prisoners who have bought their own chains? Especially when there are so many more worthy causes that should take precedent.

This is unacceptable. We cannot think this way any longer. It is time for us all to look deeper. Not just for Hamedah's sake, but for ours.

These are not just "their" issues, these are your issues. This is your freedom in jeopardy. This is your pursuit of happiness that's thwarted. This is your dignity that's spat on. These are your social rights in question, your human rights in danger. This is your intelligence that's insulted. This is your day that's ruined. This is your money that's stolen. That's your future in peril. You share more common bonds with the men, women, and children imprisoned than you might know.

And the reasons are quite clear. You only needs to spend a few minutes looking at the stories told on this site and you will understand.

The Cage Project is here to help deliver that understanding. We are here to help you discover what role you're already playing, much of it without your consent. And we are here to help transform that understanding into tangible, practical changes.

This is a fight for all of us.
This is a plight we all share.
This is for all our lives.

Choose an issue to explore below. Browse through the different topics offered on each page, and when you begin to see how grave these issues are and how deeply they're tied to you, do your share.