ADDRESSING JUSTICE FOR WOMEN THE FORTUNE NEWS
THE FORTUNE SOCIETY
MISSION
The Fortune Society’s mission is to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. We do this by:
• BELIEVING in the power of individuals to change
• BUILDING LIVES through service programs shaped by the needs and experiences of our participants
• CHANGING MINDS through education and advocacy to promote the creation of a fair, humane, and truly rehabilitative correctional system
SERVICES AND PROGRAMS Services that Rebuild Lives
The Fortune Society provides culturally competent services and lifetime aftercare to people with incarceration histories. Our services include:
HOUSING
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (Outpatient Mental Health Treatment, Outpatient Substance Use Treatment, Peer Recovery Center (the NEST))
SKILL BUILDING (Education, Employment Services, Digital Literacy, Creative Arts)
WELL-BEING (Food and Nutrition, Benefits Access, Healthcare Coordination, HIV/AIDS Health Services, Family Services)
DECARCERATION (Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) & Court Advocacy, Transitional Services (RISE), Supervised Release)
ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH (The David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy (DRCPP), Center for Research, Inquiry and Social Justice (CRIS-J))
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EYE ON FORTUNE
2023: A YEAR OF HISTORIC LEGISLATION
In 2023, the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy (DRCPP) saw tremendous progress on the road to equity in New York! In November, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Clean Slate Act into law, providing a second chance for millions of justice-impacted New Yorkers. In December, the New York City Council passed the Fair Chance for Housing Act, Intro. 549-A to ban solitary confinement in city jails, and the How Many Stops Act with a veto-proof majority. All three became law in January 2024 and will go into effect in 2025.
See your writing in the next edition of the Fortune News!
IN THE NEXT ISSUE: Recovery – What struggles do you currently or previously face with substance use? How have substance use issues affected your life? What role does mental wellness play in recovery? What do you do that aids in your mental health?
Send written (800 words or less) or visual art responses to: development@ fortunesociety.org or mail them to: Fortune News Editors c/o The Fortune Society 29-76 Northern Boulevard Long Island City, NY 11101
STANLEY RICHARDS NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE FORTUNE SOCIETY
On January 1, 2024, former Deputy CEO Stanley Richards succeeded JoAnne Page as President and CEO of The Fortune Society. Stanley first joined Fortune over 30 years ago as a reentry counselor and has since gained a wealth of knowledge and experience that prepared him to take on his new role. He looks forward to this new era of leadership at Fortune, focusing on diversity and a people-first mindset to ensure staff and participants in our community continue to flourish.
To read the press release, visit fortunesociety.org/stanleyrichards
FACES OF FORTUNE
QUEEN, PARTICIPANT
Back in prison, staying focused and motivated about the future was a real challenge. Reading wasn’t my thing then, but magazines like Vibe, Source, and Jet became my inspiration. I’d tear out pictures of things I loved – houses that I wanted to live in, cars and trucks, fashion that I dreamed of wearing and celebrities that I aspired to be like. My cell walls became a collage of my dreams. Every picture I chose was a piece of the life I desperately wanted to build someday.
It wasn’t just random pictures though. Each picture was a constant reminder, a whisper that said, “This can be your reality too.” It was a promise to myself. I knew that one day, I would be able to use this inspiration to become the person I dreamed I could be. I did it! Looking back, I can honestly say I’ve achieved the things that fueled my imagination back then. More importantly, I love the person I’ve become.
LOU, FORTUNE VOLUNTEER
I first found out about Fortune through my wife who had been a volunteer here for several years. When I retired in 2018, she suggested that I look into the volunteer opportunities offered at the organization.
I now volunteer at the Welcome Desk, and I help whenever I can in Employment Services doing mock interviews with the participants. At the Welcome Desk, I’m one of the first faces participants see when they come to Fortune. I introduce them to the organization and talk them through what the intake process will look like. It’s a fantastic way to get to know individuals in the community!
MARIO, CREATIVE ARTS COORDINATOR
I first came to Fortune specifically for the Creative Arts program. I had already self-published a few books, but I was looking for a program that would help me hone my skills and reach a broader audience. Now, I work as the Creative Arts Coordinator, and I am especially proud to work for the organization that supported me after incarceration.
I consider myself a storyteller, and I use many different mediums to share my story. I write poetry, create video and digital art, and I recently collaborated with staff and participants to produce two albums. At Fortune, I use my artistic skills to teach and inspire others. I help to support all workshops and events for the Arts community, including selfpublishing and music production in our on-site music studio at LIC.
With Employment Services, I enjoy watching participants grow professionally. I provide feedback for how to answer tough questions in a job interview, and I encourage them to present themselves with confidence. They always show such tremendous improvement, and it’s rewarding to know that I can provide feedback and support that will help them succeed.
At its core, my work is about inspiring people to speak up for themselves through art. Many of us come from communities where our voices are not always heard, so it takes time to build up the confidence to create art and express ourselves authentically. We’re all artists, and we all have the creativity inside of us to create something meaningful. My job is to help others tap into and explore that creative side and learn to use it as a tool for self-expression.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR –INVEST TIME
BY DENNIS MINTUN Boise, ID
To people in prison, time is often the enemy. We look at a lengthy sentence and begin to count the years... the months... the days... the hours. It seems endless. Sometimes, we think there is nothing to do. Boredom can set in. This can lead us down a lot of paths. We can get depressed or find things to do that get us into trouble.
However, if you shift your perspective, you’ll see that time in prison can be a unique opportunity for personal growth. In a strange way, prison can even be a blessing. Yes, there are many things we are deprived of, but there are also many things we don’t have to worry about like food, rent, and clothing. We often have a lot of free time. What can you do about it? The possibilities for self-improvement are endless.
Every prison provides opportunities, but it can take a bit of looking around. If you have a counselor, clinician or case manager, send them a concern form asking what they can suggest you do to help improve yourself or help others. Not only can you find ways to keep busy, but it can eventually be helpful when you go before a parole or commutation board.
you find something you like; get involved. Find out what they need help with from the leadership and what you can do.
“Each of us has unique talents, and many of us are unaware of what ours might be. This is your chance to explore.”
If you have, or are looking for, a spiritual path, contact your prison chaplain to find out what they offer. Don’t just attend when
In most prison systems, there are various educational opportunities. Usually, everything from getting a GED to college courses. The US government has expanded opportunities for those incarcerated to get PELL grants to help fund college courses. There’s bound to be a course you would enjoy. If you have enough time, you could get a master’s degree
or even a doctorate! If you don’t have enough time, you could get a good start toward college when you get out.
Each of us has unique talents, and many of us are unaware of what ours might be. This is your chance to explore. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not immediately good at something—it’s just a sign that you’ve successfully identified an area that’s not your natural talent. The list of possibilities is endless.
If you are into sports or fitness, quite a few prisons have gyms or recreation areas. Even if you are ‘nerdier’ or ‘bookish,’ an exercise routine can help you stay healthy and improve your brain’s efficiency. I found that an exercise routine not only improved my physical health but also my mental clarity. This author is old and has many physical problems. However, I have created a checklist for myself of some lowimpact repetitions I do daily. At first,
it was a chore. Now, I have more energy and stamina to do the other things I enjoy.
Many prisons have various computer programs available. Here in Idaho, we have a computer lab that has hundreds of things to do, from creative writing to computer programming, from Ted Talks on many subjects to learning graphic design, and lots more. For instance, you could learn to code and develop a new skill that could be valuable in the job market upon your release.
Nothing else to do? Read! Even reading fiction books can expand your mind. If you need reading help, doing it is the best way to learn. You can also write or draw while there. Once in Segregation, I learned how to make little sculptures from wet toilet paper.
It all boils down to this: time is what you make of it. Don’t waste time; invest it!
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
By Archiri Geh Vacaville, CA
I’m in a lonely tiny cell.
Lights not working, reminds me of hell.
Food’s late again, oh well.
Portions are so small. I’m over 6 feet tall.
Is that all?
I need money on my books.
With unfair restitution, who’s the crook?
I hear people around me making noise all night.
So sleep is a luxury, don’t believe the hype.
There is no mirror,
So I begin to wither.
Maybe someone will visit me.
They gotta see this place is a bust, please.
I hope every day for a better situation.
The public, I believe is my only real hope.
This is the only way I seem to cope.
Unfortunately, this is my assignment.
You are a witness to harsh solitary confinement.
IT TAKES MORE THAN BOOTSTRAPS TO PULL YOURSELF UP
BY SYRITA STEIB Founder, President & CEO, Operation Restoration
Whenever I hear someone say, “She needs to pull herself up by her bootstraps,” it evokes a visceral reaction in me. My immediate thought is, “What if she doesn’t have any damned boots?” What then?
I was fortunate enough to have access to a pair of “boots”—the support of my family, my mother, who was a judge at the time and a current State Representative and my father, who worked as a supervisor in the petrochemical industry. Even with those “boots,” I still faced numerous barriers after serving almost ten years in federal prison.
I entered prison as a 19-year-old girl. I left as a 29-year-old woman, unaware of what lay before me.
I was determined to change my life and help those I left behind. I founded Operation Restoration (OR), a New Orleans-based nonprofit, to provide the things I could not access upon my release from prison. OR offers 15 distinct programs, including transitional housing, education programs, job training, fiscal sponsorship, and advocacy for legal systemimpacted women and girls.
Before incarceration, I attended college and majored in physics and engineering. I knew that education would be vital to changing my life. While in prison I dreamed of becoming a doctor and began to take college courses during incarceration.
Naturally, I planned to continue my education upon release but hit an unexpected barrier. Despite a 3.875 GPA while incarcerated, my college admissions application was denied 24 hours after I applied. I believed that the reason for denial was because I truthfully answered the question about my criminal history. I later reapplied to the same university, submitting all the same information except not checking the box about criminal history this time. I received an acceptance letter within 24 hours.
One of the first advocacy campaigns I led after founding OR in 2016 was to Ban the Box on college applications. In 2017, we successfully passed Louisiana Act 276, which prohibits public post-secondary institutions from asking questions related to criminal history for admission purposes. Since then, we’ve worked in seven other states to ban the box successfully.
“I was determined to change my life and help those I left behind.”
It is crucial to create educational pathways for people impacted by incarceration, specifically women and girls. Up to 80% of women incarcerated in this country are mothers of children under the age of 18. Without access to quality education and training, it is impossible for women to earn living wages and provide for themselves and their children upon reentry. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, 44% of Black women will be unemployed for five years after release. That number is higher than any point of unemployment during the Great Depression.
Once I could attend college and graduate, I became a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. On my first day on the job, I realized the laboratory setting was an ideal
place for formerly incarcerated women. With training, they could forge entry-level careers in the medical field; from there, the sky’s the limit. I excitedly shared my vision with my supervisor. Today, she oversees lab assistant training programs that OR provides for legal system-impacted women in the community and at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW).
No matter where I’ve been and who I have met, nothing compares to helping other women achieve their goals and successfully reenter society. Seeing the complete joy on a woman’s face when she receives a diploma is why I do the work. I want every woman and girl to recognize and tap into their limitless potential.
Syrita Steib is the founder, president and CEO of Operation Restoration, a New Orleans-based nonprofit that supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities. In her passionate quest for improving the lives of formerly and currently incarcerated women, she advocated for passage of Louisiana Act 276 that prohibits public colleges and universities from asking about criminal history during the admission process, and she co-wrote Louisiana’s Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act to supply sanitary pads and other hygiene products for incarcerated women and create more privacy from male prison staff.
She has successfully worked on 18 pieces of legislation. She has served as a committee co-chair for a New Orleans mayoral transition team, board member for Dillard University’s Center for Racial Justice and vice chair of the Louisiana Task Force on Women’s Incarceration. In 2023, she received a Power of Influence award from NAACP Louisiana.
More information about the programs and services offered by Operation Restoration is available at or-nola.org
WOMEN ON THE RISE
The Fortune Society’s Women Rising program offers a unique approach to empower women reintegrating into society after incarceration.
Beyond basic reentry services, Women Rising provides a threeweek career readiness workshop focused on interview skills, resume writing, and workplace etiquette. This career readiness track was developed to address the unique needs women need in job training. Recognizing that many women often desire flexible self-employment, a new entrepreneurship track equips them with business-building skills.
Family reunification is a priority. The program offers workshops on communication and co-parenting, empowering women to reclaim custody of their children.
Women Rising understands social support is crucial. A new digital equity class equips women with techy skills needed for jobs and daily life. LGBTQ+ and all-women support groups provide safe spaces for connection and encouragement. The groups foster a sense of security and allow women to share their experiences.
The new Women’s Lounge (dedicated in honor of former President & CEO JoAnne Page) offers a comfortable environment to relax, socialize and participate in workshops. Staff can address social challenges in this supportive setting, helping women develop social awareness and critical thinking skills.
The program recognizes the importance of self-confidence and provides a supportive environment to help women rebuild their self-esteem.
The Fortune Society believes every woman deserves a second chance. Women Rising offers the support, resources, and guidance needed to build a brighter future.
THE EARLY DAYS
BY DAVID ROTHENBERG Founder
When The Fortune Society began in 1967, it was an all-male bastion. That wasn’t a design, but men coming out of prison were finding our office, looking for a new start; they were responding to the first wave of Fortune men appearing on television and radio.
No women entered our portal. In retrospect, it is clear why they didn’t.
The first two women who did come to Fortune arrived in unlikely ways. Jeanette Spencer was sitting in a restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side where a group of guys from Fortune were invited to speak to some locals in the back of the room. One man was sharing his tale of crime, prison and re-entry barriers when a drunk at the bar shouted, “Who gives a f**k?” Ms. Spencer stood up and said, “I do.”
Jeanette introduced herself to us and shared her story. We invited her to visit our office, which she did, and volunteered to be our first bookkeeper. Later, she became the
first woman on staff and a formidable presence with a significant impact on the men coming in.
Several months later, I received a call from a woman identifying herself as Fran Chrisman. She said she read about Fortune in the Daily News, and I informed her we would be speaking at a church the next night in a town near where she lived. She met with us and stayed for over 10 years. She became the first female on our speaking team and the first woman counselor.
Fran’s and Jeanette’s presence sent out a signal. Women were welcome. There was hesitancy at first, the perception that prisons and re-entry were male territory, even though women were experiencing it. Formerly incarcerated women were invisible to the public, the media and lawmakers. We made a dent in that misconception.
speaker, she confided, “The guys talk, tell their life story -- poverty, drugs, crime, prison and building a new life -- and people applaud and praise them. They like hearing my story, but they react differently. I have broken the moral code, and forgiveness does not go with that quickly. Once a tramp, always a tramp.” Powerful words I recall 50 years later.
Fran and I talked at length about this. I suggested she do one or two more speaking engagements and bring up the issue of the double standard. She reported back, “It was exciting; the women got it immediately.”
“Formerly incarcerated women were invisible to the public, the media and lawmakers. We made a dent in that misconception.”
The voice of women was being heard. The very specific needs of women coming out of prison were being recognized. Many women with children were trying to rebuild a family amidst shame and time lapses. At public forums, Fran became a powerful voice on radio and TV, and in D.C. and Albany in the corridors of power.
One day, Fran clarified to me that there was a double standard. Though she was an effective and dynamic
Fran, Jeanette and several other women formed speaking teams for women’s groupsand a support system for themselves. It was a challenge to the men at Fortune, but the women’s patience and guidance brought us along, telling us how much we share, and what was specific for women.
Learning is healing, and that was a hell of a time for learning.
THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES
REENTRY PRESENTS TO WOMEN
BY TARRA SIMMONS
Washington State Representative
Women face substantial challenges within the prison system due to its male-centric design, policies, and treatment. Initially constructed for men, prisons often fail to address the unique experiences and needs of incarcerated women, disregarding factors like motherhood and the prevalence of sexual abuse.
Practices like strip-searching can be particularly distressing for women given their histories of trauma, including high rates of sexual abuse and adverse childhood experiences. Advocating for their children and challenging stereotypes, women must navigate a system that often neglects their gender-specific needs, such as access to menstrual products in prison.
After being released, women tend to carry the trauma they experienced as they try to rebuild their lives, find
work, and reunite with their children. It is a difficult task to balance the demands of being a parent and managing trauma, even with the help of mental health and substance use treatment.
The combination of being a woman, a woman of color, and having a criminal record can amplify feelings of powerlessness and marginalization, especially in a society that has historically been dominated by white men. This can make it difficult to access essential services such as healthcare and housing, which in turn can make it challenging to break the cycle of trauma that can affect generations.
The way correctional officers behave towards incarcerated women is crucial in determining their self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Negative interactions can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and have the potential to create harmful relationship dynamics after release. On the other hand, men who are reintegrating into society face their own set of challenges, such as societal expectations to fulfill the roles of provider and protector.
To effectively address disparities within the criminal justice system, it is necessary to adopt a traumainformed approach. It is critical to provide incarcerated individuals with the appropriate support and rehabilitation, regardless of their gender, so that they can successfully reintegrate into society and avoid being in a cycle of incarceration.
Overcoming obstacles is a persistent theme in Tarra Simmons’ life. Despite facing numerous challenges - including a difficult upbringing, dropping out of school at the age of 13, and becoming a mother at 14she managed to graduate from high school and earn a nursing degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
However, in 2011 she was sentenced to 30 months in prison due to substance use. Upon her release, she faced numerous challenges in reintegrating into society, but she eventually graduated from Seattle University with honors and received the Skadden fellowship. However, when she applied to join the Washington State Bar, she was refused admission due to her past. Tarra challenged the Bar all the way to the State Supreme Court, where she won a unanimous decision. Her victory represents a significant step forward in the fight for justice for all.
Tarra is a co-founder of the Civil Survival Project, which provides legal services and advocacy for formerly incarcerated people. Her work is focused on building fairer and more equitable criminal justice and education systems. She currently lives in Bremerton with her two sons and her dog, Anna.
THE STATE OF PREGNANCY IN AMERICAN PRISONS AND JAILS
Gaining access to quality care already presents a challenge for incarcerated individuals in the United States. For pregnant women in prisons and jails, gaining access to general reproductive healthcare and perinatal care can feel like an insurmountable barrier.
Although the Eighth Amendment protects all incarcerated individuals' right to healthcare, it does not prescribe standardization or oversight. Consequently, state facilities often fail to provide adequate care for pregnant women.
Research from Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People (ARRWIP) estimates that 58,000 pregnant women are admitted to U.S. prisons and jails each year. However, before the First Step Act of 2018, prisons and jails failed to maintain accurate data regarding exactly how many pregnant women were within their
facilities and the outcomes of these pregnancies. Even now, as the First Step Act requires the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics to collect data on pregnancy outcomes in federal prisons, there remains little data on state facilities.
to pregnancy testing, counseling and abortion services, treatment for substance use, HIV, and depression, and appropriate vitamins and diet.
“...
policies regarding pregnancy can vary widely across facilities.”
The minimal data recorded on pregnancy in prisons and jails, paired with lacking standardization and oversight, leaves these individuals in a vulnerable position throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
PERINATAL CARE
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) established a standard for perinatal care in correctional settings. Incarcerated pregnant women should be entitled
Despite these guidelines, policies regarding pregnancy can vary widely across facilities. The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) completed a stateby-state report card on federal policies for pregnant women in prison, considering prenatal care, shackling policies, and family-based treatment alternatives. Twenty-one states received Ds or Fs. Just one state, Pennsylvania, received an A. Many factors fall outside of incarcerated pregnant women’s control, potentially resulting in stress and anxiety throughout pregnancy.
“...the U.S. remains one of just four countries that routinely separates infants from their incarcerated mothers.”
Transportation to outside medical facilities, coordination of care between correctional facilities and outside providers, lack of access to emergency services and the constant presence of guards, even during obstetrical appointments, contribute to increased vulnerability throughout pregnancy.
RESTRAINTS
Despite clearly established health risks, including increased fall risk, increased risk of blood clots and limited mobility, shackling remains an unfortunately widespread practice for incarcerated pregnant women throughout the perinatal period.
The First Step Act prohibits the use of restraints during pregnancy in federal facilities unless necessary to prevent escape or harm, but, again, inconsistent policies across states leave women in state facilities often unprotected. As of July 2023, 40 U.S. states have banned restraints during labor and delivery, but even in states where shackling is restricted, compliance with the legislation remains inconsistent.
In Georgia, for example, the Sheriffs Association routinely asks county
jails to voluntarily submit data on shackling. In 2022, just 74 of the 142 jails sent reports. Last January, a woman in Georgia was shackled for hours at 32-weeks pregnant despite the state’s ban on shackling during the second and third trimesters.
MOTHER-BABY UNITS
Following delivery, bonding with their newborn is often the main priority of incarcerated mothers, and just the knowledge that they will be separated from their child can lead to distress or postpartum depression.
In 2007, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that infants should not be separated from their mothers due to incarceration for the child’s best interest and a right to family life. Still, the U.S. remains one of just four countries that routinely separates infants from their incarcerated mothers.
Mother-baby units (MBUs) can positively impact incarcerated mothers and their children, preserving both their best interests. Existing MBUs in several states in the U.S. allow incarcerated mothers to remain with their
children until they are up to 18 months old. However, according to the NWLC state-by-state report cards, 38 states received an F for their prison nurseries.
The Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Nursing Program in New York is an example, offering parenting classes, daycare programs and other services. Ideally, MBUs should provide a supportive environment focused on improving the bond between mother and child. Resources like anger management courses, lactation consultations and regular visits from pediatric specialists can help them thrive.
Oversight and standardization of care are necessary for the well-being of incarcerated pregnant women. Without it, the quality of care varies too widely, leaving many individuals vulnerable and at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
WOMEN’S RESOURCE GUIDE
Housing Services
MARIAN HOUSE
Baltimore, Maryland
Marian House is a transitional and permanent housing and support services program for homeless women and their children located in Baltimore City. The program also offers additional services including counseling, substance use treatment, educational services and family reunification to assist women as they build stable and independent lives.
marianhouse.org/how-we-help
410-467-4121
info@marionhouse.org
OPEN DOORS
Rhode Island
Open Doors supports individuals’ reintegration into society during the pre-release period and beyond. They offer wraparound services, including housing, employment services and substance use treatment. Open Doors offers a Women’s Reentry-Focused Transitional Housing program, focused on sober living and creating a fresh start.
opendoorsri.org
401-781-5808
admin@opendoorsri.org
Domestic Violence Services
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE NETWORK
The Domestic Violence Resource Network (DVRN) is a collaborative network of member organizations aimed at strengthening domestic violence intervention at national, state and local levels. Organizations part of the DVRN work to educate communities and improve our nation’s response to domestic violence, while also providing resources for victims of domestic violence.
acf.hhs.gov/ofvps/fv-centers
General Reentry Services
NEW WAY OF LIFE REENTRY PROJECT
California
A New Way of Life Reentry Project provides housing, case management, legal services and leadership development for women in reentry. They empower women in their program by promoting healing and emotional wellness and helping them get established as members of their communities.
anewwayoflife.org 323-563-3575
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS – JUSTICE INVOLVED WOMEN PROGRAMS
Comprehensive, state-wide list of programs for incarcerated women.
info.nicic.gov/jiwp/ womens-programs-all
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