Take Action
UnCommon Law’s guide to becoming an advocate for life-sentenced people
It's going to take ALL of us to tear down the reality of mass incarceration. Together, we need to imagine a new kind of justice - one that prioritizes healing and community safety over punishment and criminalization.
Are you ready to join the fight?
Get educated.
The first step towards becoming an advocate is to learn from those closest to the problem. Check out a few of our recommendations to get you started.
myths and facts
Learn the facts about mass incarceration and life sentencing with this quick and easy guide.
Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair
Author Danielle Sered is the Executive Director of Common Justice, a Brooklyn-based organization that offers alternatives to prison.
Ear Hustle
Ear Hustle is a podcast created and produced in San Quentin State Prison. Hosted by Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, and Antwan Williams, this award-winning podcast shares stories from inside the prison, as well as stories about adjusting to life outside. Ear Hustle was a finalist for both the Peabody Award and the Pulitzer Prize.
Just Mercy
A powerful, true story about the Equal Justice Initiative and its founder Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy is a bestselling book about the potential for mercy to redeem us all, and a call to end mass incarceration America. Now a major motion picture!
Life On The Outside
Life On The Outside is a podcast that tells the stories of people who have served long sentences through interviews with those individuals and their family members.
THE MEANING OF LIFE: THE CASE FOR abolishing LIFE SENTENCES
Authored by Marc Mauer and Ashley Nellis, The Meaning of Life is a forceful and necessary argument for eliminating life sentences, and includes profiles of six people directly impacted by life sentences by formerly incarcerated author Kerry Myers.
Q Ball
Q Ball is a film that follows the basketball team at San Quentin, and their relationship with the San Francisco Warriors. It was produced by Kevin Durant.
crime after crime
This award-winning documentary follows two real estate lawyers as they wage a legal battle to free a survivor of sex trafficking from a life sentence in a California prison.
Raise your voice.
Support local legislation that centers the health, dignity, and freedom of all people inside prison.
It’s never been easier to learn about and support local legislation, and several bills need your support NOW! Click the “Legislation To Support” button to see a selection of bills that UnCommon Law currently endorses, and quickly and easily take action TODAY.
Spread the word.
You can help change negative narratives about people incarcerated for violent crime, and those serving life sentences by sharing what you know with your friends, family, and community.
Narrative change can start with a click. We’ve made it easy for you to share this Action Guide and tell your community what you’re learning. Click “Tweet it” or “Share it” to post!
Follow UnCommon Law on social media to keep amplifying!
Support the community.
Identify and support local organizations that are working for change! UnCommon Law and our partner organizations are leading the fight against mass incarceration, but we can’t do it without your support.
UnCommon Law is a founding member of the California Alliance for Parole Reform, a coalition of organizations committed to building a fairer parole process. Other Founding members include:
…and finally,
Create an Action Checklist
Collective action begins on the individual level. Dismantling mass incarceration will take all of us. We want everyone to feel empowered to participate in the fight against mass incarceration, and our Action Checklist makes it easy to get started today.