#mutualcare

where effort comes naturally, not something you have to ask for.

where support exists in more than one form—

Red spoke with Alisha on Friday (3/13), and LeLe said Decatur is going on lockdown.

All in-person visitation has been cancelled, and video visits are tentatively going forward, but that it is unclear if GTL tech staff will be allowed into the prison for technical support and administration of video visitation. LeLe also mentioned that the GTL staff were working on installing a video visitation kiosk on unit but that she doesn't know what the ETA for it going operational will be.

As of now, Red and Aaron have a video visit with LeLe scheduled for this coming Thursday evening.

LeLe said no one she knows is sick, and that she and those she's talked with on unit are being proactive and buying soap at commissary (the hand sanitizer they are offered at commissary has no alcohol content, which means it's virtually ineffective).

As of an email we got from LeLe today (3/15):

All activities have been cancelled (including educational classes, other certification courses, and their Shakespeare rehearsals) except for Chow and Gym, but she said the COs said those are next to be cancelled too.

They're currently only being allowed two 20 minute phone calls a day.

We'll keep you updated on what Alisha wants shared! Right now, we're asking our community to please share and circulate these resources and demands:

https://transformativespaces.org/2020/03/15/chicago-covid-19-hardship-and-help-page/?fbclid=IwAR1jMaGUJkkJ2H59zR-NNr7giEbCyB07pRysTyEs6t_6umNJm826rgdAnOg

https://chicagobond.org/2020/03/13/open-letter-to-cook-county-regarding-covid-19-and-cook-county-jail-protect-public-health-through-decarceration/?fbclid=IwAR2iolu-IAnh2Y1DI7Nf0bP4puJfMZqc8to3kj92avkuFU5rCVUqJSUF320

Adjusting to life post-release requires caring support networks and funds. One of our recently released comrades needs our collective help to relocate and pay for housing, and repair a damaged car. Support survivors, give what you can and/or amplify this ask!

where effort isn’t forced or calculated… it just exists. not performative, not inconsistent , just steady, intentional, and real. the kind of energy where you don’t have to wonder if it’s there, because it’s shown in the smallest, quietest ways.

I value support that flows both ways… not just in what’s given, but in how it’s held. emotional support, mental presence, a sense of being understood without having to overexplain yourself. something that goes beyond surface-level gestures ,something that actually feels like it means something.

It’s about balance, too… where no one is overextending or under-giving, where everything feels mutual, natural, and aligned. a connection where both people show up, not out of obligation, but because they want to.