Release from Prison

As an abolitionist organization, the objective of releasing people from prison — in individual cases and as a result of strategies and policies of decarceration — is the founding core of our mission.

ALC sprang from the self-liberatory efforts of incarcerated people who organized themselves, and their loved ones outside, to fight for their rights and freedom. Many of the people whom ALC has represented in successful efforts to win release, were mentored by political prisoners in the PA DOC system, including Russell Maroon Shoatz, ALC’s first client.

We support the efforts of incarcerated people to rejoin and make positive and healthy contributions to their families and communities, who in turn are enriched by the presence of their formerly incarcerated loved ones. ALC has a long history of litigating cases challenging unjust convictions and sentences, and of winning release for political and politicized prisoners and other people who have served many decades behind bars.

More recently, we have significantly scaled up our work on so-called “compassionate release” cases that give a pathway out of prison and into more dignified and appropriate end-of-life care for terminally ill people who meet stringent guidelines.

In the video here, ALC client Bradford Gamble describes his experience with the compassionate release process, and ALC staff attorney Rupalee Rashatwar provides additional context about the excruciating conditions for aging and ill people in prison.

Expand the “Compassionate Release” section below to learn more.