This May, Parole Prep is launching it's first ever community fundraiser with a goal of $75,000. I've set personal goal of raising $2,000 for our volunteer programming. Learn more about what we do below:

Since our founding in 2013, Parole Prep has trained over 900 volunteers to work alongside more than 400 people serving life sentences in New York State prisons. Most of those inside have spent more than 25 years behind bars and are in their 60s, 70s and even 80s. Many are in declining health and are eager to return to the families and communities that they left decades ago.

Over the course of their time with Parole Prep, volunteers will visit people in prison, talk with them by phone, communicate with family members and loved ones on the outside, and support people in navigating the parole process. Volunteers will also create advocacy packets that are submitted to the Board of Parole that demonstrate the work individuals have done while incarcerated and why they should be granted release. Volunteers also work with people to prepare for their parole interview, which is a daunting and difficult task.

Throughout the year, our volunteers are traveling from New York City to prisons as far away as the Canadian border. They are spending their weekends driving long hours or traveling by plane, bus or train, sleeping in hotels and motels, and of course, spending time with people in prison. When incarcerated people are nearing their parole dates, volunteers print copious amounts of documents, assemble them into bound booklets, and submit them to the Parole Board for review. 

To ensure that our volunteer program is accessible to everyone, and that there is no financial burden on people in prison, Parole Prep covers all expenses related to travel, communication, printing, postage and more. With nearly 100 current and active cases, Parole Prep spends nearly $100,000 every year on volunteer activities alone. 

We hope you’ll join us in raising funds for these important operations. With your support, we can better advocate for the release of more people serving decades in prison in New York State.