Just Detention International, Inc.
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July 26, 2012
I am a mental health counseling student interested in counseling inmates. I am also related to an individual who was repeatedly molested and raped in prison by a "guard." My relative has been permanently scarred by it, and, we, as her family also hurt. Not surprisingly, the offender had molested numerous others only nobody cared enough to remove this individual from the correctional system. My relative was released many years ago. Were she in prison today, I feel certain JDI would do all it could to bring the guard-offender to justice. Because it's important for me to get involved in preventing prison rape, I can't be silent, even all these years later. The opportunity to make a small gift from time to time lets me feel I'm making a difference in the lives of people who like my relative, were serving a sentence, not bargaining on being raped. In my view, I have as much a responsibility in preventing prison rape as I would have in preventing rape on "the outside." JDI's newsletters have helped me to cope with the pain I have for my relative, and for those countless others who who suffer the crippling trauma of rape because, on its own, our penal system lacks what it takes to bring prison rape to an end. JDI keeps me engaged by allowing me to take part in actions toward ending prison rape, and informs me about the lives of inmates who have been impacted by their hard work. I hope others will see the importance of JDI's role in ending prison rape, and will support their cause in justice. Prison rape need not be a fact of prison life.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 25, 2012
I do not now recall when I became fully aware of the rampant sexual abuse and human rights violations that are occurring daily in the jails, prisons, and detention centers of the United States. Perhaps it was when I became a father and realized, to my horror, that my son or daughter could make a mistake and could become a victim of such injustice. Through the efforts of JDI, I found a collective voice that demanded an end to the mistreatment of those behind bars and offered hope to the survivors of sexual abuse. I vowed to support JDI's campaign and to speak out against offensive references to prison rape in the media and in public and private forums. And I will continue to support JDI until this shameful perversion of justice comes to an end.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 25, 2012
I am a forensic psychiatrist, and one area of my expert testimony in court is sexual abuse of prisoners. A big problem for those who would end sexual abuse in prison is that its occurrence, though widespread, is generally secret, unknown to the public. Sexual abuse often goes unreported because the victim fears retaliation and is overwhelmed by shame. Until recently, the perpetrator, for example prison guards who rape and sexually abuse women prisoners, did not need to fear being exposed and punished. Just Detention International has worked relentlessly to reverse that shameful reality. The nonprofit has shined a public light on the dreadful sexual abuse that occurs on a daily basis in our jails, prisons and immigration lock-ups. JDI has led the movement, that by now includes other human rights groups, to support the survivors of sexual abuse behind bars and to change correctional practices that make sexual abuse possible. JDI has encouraged survivors to tell their stories, to participate in litigation to halt prison sexual abuse, and to campaign for legislation to protect prisoners from sexual abuse. JDI led the campaign to pass federal legislation, the Prison Rape Elimination Act, and then to demand that Attorney General Holder approve the Prison Rape Elimination Commission's standards for "zero tolerance" jail and prison management. When I testify in related litigation, I see the effects of JDI's work in the way survivors of prison sexual abuse transcend the shame and courageously stand up (against the omnipresent threat of retaliation) and say it was wrong and should not be permitted to happen again to others. The social justice work of JDI makes my work as a forensic psychiatrist possible - they give survivors the courage and support to stand up and speak out. JDI has had a huge impact on the way we understand sexual abuse behind bars, the amount of attention we give the problem, and the ways we work together to end this horrible injustice.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The newfound courage in survivors of sexual abuse behind bars. With the public outcry JDI has propagated and publicized, and the great work JDI has done with individual survivors, they are no longer victims of shame, but rather they become indignant advocates for freedom from sexual victimization.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give them a lot more resources, including grants and donations, to carry on their absolutely critical work.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
My personal contact with survivors of sexual abuse behind bars as I assessed their plight in preparation for courtroom testimony.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I always support JDI. They continually change their organization and their programs to fit evolving social events, and they are always at the cutting edge.
What would you tell others about this organization?
Absolutely, and I do, all the time.
July 23, 2012
I support Just Detention International because they are doing what no group I know of does: monitor conditions in prisons and advocate for prisoners. We have this awful "secret" in our country that rape and abuse is widespread in prison. JDI is helping to change that, and it is inspiring prisoners and citizens all over the world with its work. Keep trucking JDI.
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Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 23, 2012
Of all the social justice nonprofits I donate to, JDI is the one I receive the greatest gratifcation for doing so. It addresses a need not all of us wish to contemplate--that rape is not part of the punishment--it is very effective in doing so, and it's uncorruptible. These good people really work hard and honestly, and are thoroughly transparent. Their Executive Director, Lovisa Stannow, must be among the most committed individuals in the entire social justice spectrum. I truly wish JDI would win the Nobel Prize. They certainly deserve it, and they deserve our donations and if possible our time.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 23, 2012
As a policy advocate for transgender people, I have been incredibly impressed with JDI's commitment to include LGBT people, people with intersex conditions, and other vulnerable populations in everything that they do. I have also been impressed with their fusion of deep policy expertise with supporting and lifting up the voices and stories of survivors. Their work has provided connection and support to thousands of individuals and made an enormous difference in policy efforts to prevent abuse in confinement. They make critical contributions to every coalition effort of which they are a part.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 23, 2012
My husband and I are proud monthly donors to Just Detention International for so many reasons. Fighting for the rights of imprisoned women and men is cruical & often misunderstood work. JDI gives these victims a voice and the power to help affect real change. I have been profoundly moved by their tireless efforts to help others understand the devastating effects of prisoner assault. They empower the victims of this type of violence not only survive but to thrive. I could not be more proud of the work that JDI does every day on behalf of victims and their families. We are honored to donate to JDI.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 23, 2012
This is a great organization that serves a group of people that are often ignored, marginalized, and discarded in our society. There is an apocryphal quote by Dostoyevsky that says, "The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons." If that is true, America is in terrible shape, but with the work of JDI, that is hopefully starting to change, bit by bit. By working to make prisons more humane, they ultimately working to make our society more humane.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 21, 2012
My wife is a survivor of prisoner rape. Even though we had been married for almost 20 years at the time she was raped, because of her fears of retaliation and punishment, she didn't dare say anything. Jan served 18 months in Michigan during which time she was repeatedly raped. Not once, not twice, but several times a week for over 6 months. But she was too afraid to say anything. Not even to me - no one. When it finally became known, she testified at a criminal trial and her rapist was convicted and he was sent to prison. One day Jan was doing an internet search on prisoner rape, to see if she could find anything to help her, and she located an organization called Stop Prisoner Rape (now called Just Detention International). She called them and after talking to them, she received a packet of information. It contained so much info - where she could go for counseling, different types of support, etc. And there was a note included. I was totally amazed that there was anything like JDI out there. I know I was even more shocked that JDI took phone calls from someone they didn't know and would talk to her and try to help. Whether she was looking for an answer to something, could she find something, etc. She was on the road to recovery, stronger than ever, and it was because she was drawing on the strength she received from JDI. JDI has used our story (due to the fact that we have been married for so long, we are kind of unusual), we share our story, and worked at helping get PREA signed and doing whatever we could to spread the word about prisoner rape. JDI has given us both the platform to do this. Jan has become a very strong advocate for prisoner rape, and I am proud of her; but I truly believe that she would not be as strong an advocate if it were not for JDI. Everyone at JDI are completely wonderful, understanding, caring and loving people; and I thank them everyday for the fine work they do.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the strength they have passed on to all of their members, the people they help. They have helped me understand this horrific crime in a way I know would not be possible without them.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
To not be afraid to talk about what happened.
July 18, 2012
I was abused while in prison and these people were very helpful in trying to expose the predator after I was released. I was surprised at how dedicated and genuinely helpful and professional the people at Just Detention were and how good they made me feel about not blaming myself for what happened. They even followed up and wrote to the warden and tried to get those responsible to be held accountable for what they did. They made me realize that I wasn't the only one who this type of thing happened to and it wasn't part of my punishment. I applaud their work and wish I could do more to help THEM now that I am free.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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