Dear John, 

From time to time in this work, we encounter terms and concepts that we haven’t heard or seen before. Yet, they play a major role in shaping the realities of many individuals and communities. The world of justice reform is full of complex legal terms and phrases filled with historical baggage and it's important to unpack these terms to understand their impact on individuals and communities.

Today, we're diving into two such critical terms: Civil Death and Felony Disenfranchisement. These terms may be unfamiliar, but their consequences are far-reaching and deeply intertwined with the history of racial injustice in our country.

Click Here To Read The Blog Post And Learn More

In a new blog post from Dream.org, we delve into the meaning of these terms, tracing their origins and exploring their devastating effects. Civil Death, as the name suggests, refers to the loss of various civil rights upon a felony conviction. This can include the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office, or even enter into contracts. Indeed, even after one served their time, these rights can be slow or nearly impossible to reacquire. Imagine the impact of being stripped of these fundamental rights — the ability to participate in our democracy, contribute to your community, and rebuild your life.

Felony disenfranchisement, a direct consequence of civil death, specifically targets the right to vote. The blog explores the racist roots of disenfranchisement laws, which were designed to suppress the voting power of Black Americans after the Civil War. These Jim Crow laws continue to disproportionately impact communities of color, perpetuating cycles of poverty, criminalization, and incarceration.

When we grasp what Civil Death and Felony Disenfranchisement mean, we can see how a felony conviction is about more than just time behind bars. Even after someone has served their sentence and been released, they face lasting roadblocks that make it incredibly difficult for them to fully rejoin their communities and take part in civic life as they try to get back on their feet. 

Please take a few minutes and read the full blog post and join us in the fight to dismantle these unjust penalties of Civil Death and Felony Disenfranchisement.  Read The Blog Post And Learn More

Thank you for continuing with us as we work to close prison doors and remove the shackles of oppression that last long after those doors have been shut. We are deeply grateful for your support and commitment to this crucial cause. Together, we will create a future where justice is truly served, and individuals can fully rejoin their communities without facing endless barriers and discrimination. Your dedication to understanding these complex issues and advocating for change is invaluable.

In solidarity,
— The Justice Team at Dream.Org

P.S. Inspired to act after reading about the injustice of civil death? Join Dream.Org and the makers of the documentary film The 50 in demanding Congress restore voting rights to imprisoned individuals immediately upon release from prison.

Sign the Petition Here to Stand Up For Voting Rights