About Us

PARC is a prison abolitionist group committed to exposing and challenging all forms of institutionalized racism, sexism, able-ism, heterosexism, and classism, specifically within the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC). PARC believes in building strategies and tactics that build safety in our communities without reliance on the police or the PIC. We produce a directory that is free to prisoners upon request, and seek to work in solidarity with prisoners, ex-prisoners, their friends and families. We also work with teachers and activists on many prison issues. This work includes building action networks and materials that expose the continuing neglect and outright torture of more than 2 million people imprisoned within the USA; as well as the 5+ million who are under some form of surveillance and control by the so-called justice system. 

Recent Alerts

  • Stop the Execution of Troy Davis!

    We need to make our voices heard to stop this modern day lynching! Stop the execution of Troy Davis!Write a Letter to the Editor TODAY
    The Supreme Court's decision to deny Troy Davis' petition is truly an outrage. The State of Georgia has set an execution date of October 27th. The Supreme Court's denial means that no court of law will ever hold a hearing on the witnesses who have recanted their trial testimony in sworn affidavits. 

  • Writing Contest for the Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated!

    WIN PRIZES!

    NEW YORK PUBLISHER SPONSORS WRITING CONTEST FOR INCARCERATED AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED

  • IS IT SAFE?

    The Prison University Project presents

    IS IT SAFE?
    Essays and Photographs of Students at San Quentin

    An Exhibition at Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area 

    June 1, 2008-October 22, 2008 

    The Band Practice Room, Main Cellhouse

    Essays by Students in the San Quentin College Program; Photographs by Heather Rowley; Curated by Jennifer Scaife 

    To purchase tickets, go to www.alcatrazcruises.com or call Alcatraz Cruises (415) 981-7625

more

Prisoner Support Directory

Prisoner Support Directory 2008

Updated March 2008

Please print this directory and use it to assist prisoners in your community.

We correspond with and mail resource packets to prisoners, their friends and family members. We are the first point of contact for people to connect with prisoners' rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, health care and legal resources, parole and pre-release resources, and the prison abolition movement.

If you are interested in the Prisoner Support Project, call us at (510) 893-4648, or come to The Long Haul (510-540-0751, 3124 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA) every Wednesday night from 6-9 pm for Prisoner Support Night.


TOXIC SWEATSHOPS

Toxic Sweatshops

PARC is proud to release a new report, "Toxic Sweatshops: How UNICOR Prison Recycling Harms Workers, Communities, the Environment, and the Recycling Industry." For the first time, prisoners speak out on deplorable health and safety conditions within electronics recycling factories run by UNICOR. UNICOR, also known as Federal Prison Industries, is a government-owned corporation operated under the Department of Justice that uses captive prison labor in a range of industries, including the dismantling of electronics. Leroy Smith, a former safety manager at Atwater Prison, blew the whistle on UNICOR's facility there and was named "Public Servant of the Year" by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in September 2006. Download the report here.