Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy.
Friday December 18th, 2009
sex workers, their allies and their organizations came together in front of the
AZ Department of Corrections on December 18th, as part of International Day to
End Violence Against Sex Workers, an annual event to call attention to violence
committed against sex workers all over the globe. SWOP USA gathered with
Arizona Prison Watch and Friends of Marcia Powell to remember Marcia
Powell a prisoner of the State of Arizona who collapsed and died from
heatstroke last May after being locked in an outdoor cage and ignored for four
hours in 107 degree heat.
A letter presented to the Arizona Department of Corrections on this day
recommended that:
- cages never be used to hold prisoners or to address
overcrowding
- an analysis of violence against sex workers (both
inside and outside the Arizona prison system) be conducted and a plan
should be developed for reducing violence against sex workers in Arizona
- the Department explore models of restorative justice such as criminal code and sentencing reform,
early release programs for low-risk prisoners, community support through
harm reduction, and re-entry programs to stop the revolving door syndrome
that traps so many people
- the Department be conscious of violence against sex
workers (including male and transgendered workers) including victimization
while in state custody, police brutality, and domestic and occupational
violence
- May 20th should be observed each year in memory of
Marcia Powell and other prisoners who died in state custody. On that
day Department should prepare a report addressed to prisoners, families
and community-based oversight groups on human rights violations that have
occurred over the past year and actions the department has taken in
response. The report should also include the Department's plan for the
upcoming year to improve respect for human rights.
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