Organizational Beliefs and Values
We, members of The People in Blue, believe:
1. Our community deserves healing from individual and historical trauma.
2. All people including incarcerated people have a human right to heal from trauma in the manner that best suits their particular needs.
3. The healing we believe in cannot be achieved through the use of a toxic carceral system.
4. As a community we must always work toward a prison free society.
5. Until we achieve a society that places healing over incarceration, our fellow community members (tax paying citizens) deserve a system that measures success not by how many people it incarcerated, but by creating true safety within the prisons we operate; allowing staff to do their jobs effectively, incarcerated people to make meaningful progress toward healing, and return people to their communities prepared to live productive meaningful lives.
6. Our justice system must never give up on a person's capacity to change as it is crucial to the creation of safer prisons, safer communities, and healthier families.
7. Incarcerated people have a human right to peacefully dissent to conditions in which negatively affect their life, dignity, and safety.
8. Incarcerated people who are indeterminately sentenced have a human right to access rehabilitation and treatment programs, groups, and therapy sessions.
9. Incarcerated people have a right to have their participation in healing programs recognized as part of their right to reenter society.
10. Incarcerated people have a right to receive minimum wage from industries that operate inside California prisons which requires them to work eight hours a day.
11. Correctional employees must be held accountable and prosecuted if found to have violated the law including the purposeful abuse/harmful acts toward incarcerated people.
We, members of The People in Blue, value:
INTEGRITY
We conduct our work with honesty, transparency, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to justice, equity, and the public good.
HUMAN DIGNITY
We affirm the humanity of all incarcerated people and uphold their right to be treated with respect, compassion, and fairness.
HEALTH EQUITY
We are committed to advancing equitable access to health information, quality care, and opportunities for individuals to participate in decisions that affect their health and well-being.
HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION
We recognize that healing is foundational to lasting change. We foster environments that support personal growth, accountability, resilience, and hope.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION
We believe knowledge is a catalyst for personal transformation. By providing education and leadership opportunities, we empower individuals to understand their rights, advocate for themselves and others, and contribute to meaningful change.
VOICE AND PARTICIPATION
We believe in inclusivity. All people (regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or any other perceived difference) most affected by correctional policies and practices should have meaningful voice in shaping the decisions that impact their lives and communities.
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
We recognize that the health and well-being of prisons communities are interconnected. By strengthening the voices and leadership of incarcerated individuals, we contribute to safer, healthier communities both inside and beyond prison walls.
COLLABORATION
We value partnerships among incarcerated individuals, correctional employees, healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers to build healthy and just community systems and structures.
