Creating Community for Incarcerated Sex Workers
A chapter of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP)The Mission of Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars
SWOP Behind Bars is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of people who face discrimination from the criminal justice system due to the stigma associated with the sex industry. We advocate for the full decriminalization of adult consensual sex work and the ending of cash bail. We draw attention to the effects of generational poverty on sexualized violence against marginalized and vulnerable populations, especially women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, people who use drugs, people with disabilities, and people living with HIV. Using a harm reduction framework, we provide services and support with a focus on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy.
What Does SWOP Behind Bars Do?
Since the inception of SWOP Behind Bars (SBB) in May 2016, SWOP Behind Bars has sent out over 25,000 newsletters to prisoners in 14 states. We have coordinated over 2,000 pen pals. We have coordinated more than 20,000 books through Amazon Wishlists, 3,000 book donations to prison libraries, and approximately 450 GED self-study guides to prisoners and prison libraries. We have funded 12 college level scholarships and presented at human rights conferences and rallies. We have provided reentry support for 120 recently released prisoners and we have published a reentry guide to help incarcerated people transition back to their community. We have fiscally sponsored 4 other like-minded organizations. We have a diverse Board of Directors that includes people who have been incarcerated or are still incarcerated. We support men, women, and trans folks.
Find out why SWOP is “Behind Bars”
March 1st, Self Care Soiree for International Sex Worker Rights Day
SWOP Tampa Bay is celebrating International Sex Worker Rights Day (March 3rd) a little early this year. Join us Sunday, March 1st 11a, - 7pm (Drop in whenever works for you) @ A private home in St. Pete for a little self-care soiree to lift up and refresh the Sex...
The Cranky Queer: HIV activist and wellness writer
SWOP Behind Bars cofounder Alex Andrews recently stumbled upon JD Davids' blog/book-in-progress The Cranky Queer. Davids’ “perspectives are shaped by decades bridging health education, medical & research advocacy (including alongside or up against NIH and CDC...
Letter to Southern Christian Leadership Conference Re: Adult Arcades in Jacksonville, FL and Human Rights
From: Adam Stuart [mailto:stuartadam@bellsouth.net] Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2019 7:01 PM To: info@nationalsclc.org Cc: stuartadam@bellsouth.net Subject: adult arcades in Jacksonville and human rights To: Dr. Charles Steele, President, Southern Christian...
Helen has Stage 4 Breast Cancer
Our incarcerated sex worker community has a member that just was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She will receive cancer treatment while in prison at Lowell Womens Correctional Institution where we already know that health care is horrible, inconsistent and...
How prevalent is human trafficking in Polk Co, Florida?
Reposted from The Lakeland Ledger Nov. 10 2019 Gary White Officials call Florida a hot spot for human trafficking, though reliable statistics are lacking. It’s also difficult to tell if law enforcement efforts have reduced trafficking. LAKELAND — Law enforcement...
Prostitution sting met plenty of arrests but few charges for human trafficking
Reposted from The Lakeland Ledger Nov. 9 2019 Gary White Polk County Sheriff’s Office says its frequent prostitution stings help curtail human trafficking. But cases are complex and difficult to prove, so few arrests result in prosecutions on trafficking charges....
