FIRST FAQs

Did You Know? 🤔

If recent incarceration rates remain unchanged, an estimated 1 in every 20 persons (5.1%) will be incarcerated at some point in their lives. But together, we can change that.

Welcome to the FIRST-Network Family 🎉

At FIRST-Network, we’re on a mission to drive transformative change within the federal prison system. We advocate for the health, safety, and fair treatment of adults in custody by connecting them with their families, government entities, and other stakeholders. Together, we’re making a real difference.

 

Our Approach 🚀

We believe in a two-phase approach to achieve our goals:
 

1. Data Gathering and Assessment 📊

 

Our platform allows those experiencing issues across the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to make reports, storing the data in a single repository. This transparency strengthens our advocacy efforts and enables us to gather evidence to support our mission.
 

2. Collaborative Action for Reform 🤝

 

Using the data, we engage in collective problem-solving to create impactful solutions. Our unique insights, driven by personal experiences and community input, guide our efforts to advocate for legislative and policy changes.

 

Our Achievements 🌟

 

Since our formation in August 2023, we’ve already accomplished so much:

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• Creative Collaborations: Worked with loved ones inside to create a 2023 calendar.

• Member Benefits: Obtained a global corporate hotel discount for members traveling to see loved ones.

• Visitation Enhancements: Collaborated with vendors to stock machines during visitation.

• Media Presence: Featured in news articles and attended prison reform conferences.

• Engagement and Interaction: Published a newsletter with over 2,200 subscribers and have over 300 active adults in custody already enrolled and interacting.

• Community Support: Host random drawings for commissary giveaways, books, calendars, etc., for members and loved ones inside.

• Advocacy Campaigns: Led campaigns such as #FedUp, #FIRST48 and #EveryMealMatters.

• Growing Community: Grown to over 2,000 members and continues to grow daily, with an average participation rate of over 90%.

• Active Participation: Conducted mini projects, which we call missions, making advocating fun and ensuring every member has a voice.

• Legislative Success: Our members sent out over 2,800 email requests to Congress requesting sponsorship for the Federal Prison Oversight Act, which was passed in July 2024.

• Nationwide Reach: We are well on our way to establishing a point of contact and FN member at every federal facility nationwide and are in the process of connecting people with loved ones nationwide.

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Thank you once again for your support. Together, we can make a difference!

FIRST-Network Communications Team
#BeTheirVoice