SWOP Behind Bars Inc
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Mission Statement
SWOP Behind Bars is a national grassroots social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers, victims of trafficking, and their communities with a focus on those currently incarcerated or seeking re-entry. SWOP BB centers the voices of sex workers and trafficking victims as we work to end violence and stigma by providing resources, community-building projects, educational programs, and advocacy.
About This Cause
SWOP goes Beyond Bars to create the kind of community we need… We believe the key to serving our community begins with listening and our ability to connect to it. The Sex Worker Community Support Line (CSL) is a centralized toll-free hotline that can be accessed by anyone in North America for assistance with safety planning, networking and accessing resources. We receive more than 200 calls per week seeking assistance with a wide variety of issues from crisis support around and assault or an arrest, to sex positive resources for medical and mental health resources to housing and transportation requests. We created the Chat for Support feature on our website in March of 2020. AMAZON WISH LISTS We build customized Amazon Wishlists for our incarcerated members and publish them on our website. Prisoners have very little access to reading material and educational opportunities and are very often locked out of critical programming like GED tutoring and Life Skills classes. Many of our requests are for books about sobriety and maintaining good mental health!Some of our incarcerated members have started their own Yoga and wellness support groups behind bars and rely on us to keep their wishlists up to date with material they are interested in.Purchasing a book from a prisoners Amazon wishlist is a great way to get involved quickly and easily! NEWSLETTERS Our newsletter is now electronically mailed to incarcerated community members imprisoned for drug and prostitution related charges. Topics include current events, mental health and wellness, radical book excerpts, biographies of historical sex workers and other subjects of empowerment and wellbeing. We can’t express enough how we appreciate the support from the sex worker community as well as all the writers and journalists and academics that live among us and who have pledged support and offered further assistance! We accept submissions for our blog from formerly incarcerated workers! Mentor By Mail Mail to Incarcerated Sex Workers is a Harm Reduction Strategy, especially people who have tased sex and queer and transgender folks.! Mail Call often happens in public spaces in the prison. When someone hears their name called by a prison guard during Mail Call, it is a reminder that people on the outside care about that person. It is also a message to the guards and other incarcerated people that this person has support and is not forgotten. Learn More about being a Mentor By Electronic Mail and sign up to participate! Reentry Support People often are released from jails and prisons with virtually nothing but the clothes they were arrested in. The standard institutional release package includes a bus ticket, two weeks worth of any medications, and a $50 gift card. SWOP Behind Bars works to fill this gap. Six months prior to release, our incarcerated members receive the "Focus on the Future" re-entry guide and handbook. Upon release and on request, members are provided a smartphone with 90 days worth of service, full size hygiene items, and assistance with procuring identification documents, as well as setting up critical accounts for receiving public and private resources. We regularly refer incarcerated survivors of violence to legal council to assist with vacating criminal records. SWOP Behind Bars (SBB) constantly evaluates its programs, focusing on flexibility and navigating barriers to support individuals impacted by incarceration, domestic violence, exploitation, and gender-based violence. Upcoming Features & Tools Survivor Reentry App (Beta Testing Q1 2025) This app enables released prisoners to access program materials completed during incarceration and track reentry progress. Key features include: Goal Setting & Progress Tracking: Users can set personal goals and track achievements in employment, housing, education, and wellness. Resource Access: A centralized hub for resources like job listings, housing, and support services. Reminders & Notifications: Helps users stay organized with reminders for appointments and applications. Skills Development & Community Support: Access to educational resources, skills training, and peer support to foster connections. Mental Health Support Module: Resources, guided exercises, and crisis support tailored for mental health needs, particularly for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Power Outside & Power Inside Apps Power Outside: Stores essential client information, documents, and case plans, allowing case managers to access assessments remotely. Power Inside: Focuses on wellness with workout ideas, nutritional guidance, and mental health tools. Key Program Features Data Integration with Salesforce: Tracks pre-release learning via Edovo tablets, centralizing data to inform personalized service plans. Well-being Check-Ins: Regular assessments (PHQ-27 and MHI-100) gauge mental health status, providing data for early intervention. Resource Guide & Essential Services: Includes access to vital documents, smartphones, job tools, and mental health coaching upon release. Legal Services SBB’s legal team assists clients with post-conviction relief, expungement, and record sealing. They also provide trauma-informed interviews for vacatur proceedings, empowering justice-involved survivors to reclaim their lives. Core Programs & Initiatives Community Support Hotline: Offers crisis support, resources, and referrals. Educational Toolkits: Inward and outward educational workshops and resources. Internship Program: Facilitates intern support in social work, public health, and psychology. Mentor by Mail: Sends supportive messages to incarcerated individuals to reinforce community connection. Job Readiness & Financial Literacy Programs: Prepares individuals for financial independence and job market reentry. Fiscally Sponsored Project: "Played - the Joey the Player Case" Documentary Explores resilience within the sex work community through the legal case of Joey the Player, highlighting community-driven justice efforts. SBB’s dedication to flexibility, tailored service delivery, and continuous improvement offers pathways to stability, dignity, and reintegration for survivors and justice-impacted individuals.