Emancipation Initiative
Empowering Voices
Dismantling Barriers
Building Liberation
Projects
Articles
Our Initiatives
Emancipator Newsletter
Our newsletter bridges the gap between incarcerated individuals and the outside world by amplifying their voices, sharing firsthand accounts, legislative updates, and stories that empower them to engage in civic life, advocate for their rights, and stay connected with their families, allies, and the broader movement for justice.
Community Engagement & Public Education
We host workshops, speaking events, and struggle sessions to raise awareness and mobilize action. From the Legal Institution of Slavery series to panels at Harvard Law School and the Boston Bar Association, we amplify the voices of incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. Our newsletter also plays a key role in connecting inside and outside communities, fostering solidarity and shared action.
Community Engagement & Public Education
We host workshops, speaking events, and struggle sessions to raise awareness and mobilize action. From the Legal Institution of Slavery series to panels at Harvard Law School and the Boston Bar Association, we amplify the voices of incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. Our newsletter also plays a key role in connecting inside and outside communities, fostering solidarity and shared action.
Legislative Reform
We work on key policies including ending life without parole, improving visitation rights, and expanding decarceration efforts. Our testimony at the Massachusetts Statehouse has influenced bills to protect voting rights, reduce excessive sentencing, and improve communication access for incarcerated people.
Jail Voting Rights Advocacy
Thousands of eligible voters in Massachusetts jails are denied meaningful access to ballots. Our 2019 report, Overcoming Barriers that Prevent Eligible Incarcerated People from Voting in Massachusetts, highlights voter suppression inside correctional facilities and advocates for systemic change.
Mass POWER
(Massachusetts Prisoners and Organizers Working for Enfranchisement and Restoration) A coalition working to reverse the 2000 ballot measure that stripped incarcerated individuals of their right to vote. In 2018, we gathered over 21,000 signatures and continue organizing to put voting rights restoration on the ballot.
Ballots Over Bars
Our campaign to restore the right to vote to incarcerated people in Massachusetts. Through #DonateYourVote, we pair incarcerated individuals with non-incarcerated voters who pledge to vote on their behalf, ensuring their voices are represented until full enfranchisement is restored. In 2018, we matched over 140 pairs and continue growing this movement.
About Us
Founded in 2012, Emancipation Initiative is committed to advocating for justice, equity, and inclusion for incarcerated individuals. Our mission extends towards abolishing prisons through legislative reforms, reinstating voting rights, and empowering communities through various initiatives.
