Americans have a fundamental right to engage with legislators about decisions that affect their lives, and one of the most powerful ways to do that is by testifying at state legislative hearings. People in prison, however, are routinely denied this right. Silencing incarcerated people is not only unjust, but deprives the public of valuable insights and expertise from those most affected by criminal legal system reforms.

But new technology has allowed voices from people inside facilities to be able to give testimony to legislators.

Join Prison Policy Initiative on August 5, 2024 at 3 PM EST, as we host a panel of advocates from around the country for a discussion on the importance and challenges of helping people in prisons testify at legislative hearings.

Register here for the webinar.

Read the full article originally published by Prison Policy Initiative as “Webinar: In their own words: Organizing legislative testimony from incarcerated people,” authored by Emmett Sanders.