Visitation Campaign
UPDATE: A FIRST VICTORY FOR WHATCOM JAIL IN-PERSON VISITATION!
Drawing by inside pen-pal Richard Garza
On Friday, Nov. 1st, Sheriff Tanksley released a statement that visitation will be restored on December 7th. This comes after almost three years of no in-person visitation and two weeks after the start of our public pressure campaign. THIS IS NOT COINCIDENTAL!
PUBLIC PRESSURE WORKS!!
IT WAS ONLY AFTER:
- MASS COMMUNITY EMAILS
- A PUBLIC PETITION
- INCARCERATED PEOPLE BEGAN SENDING THEIR TESTIMONIES
- CALLING OUT THE SHERIFF AT AN EVENT OF HIS PEERS
That tank addressed visitation at all…
PROVING THAT THEY COULD HAVE REINSTATED AT ANY TIME AND CHOSE NOT TO
THE FIGHT ISN’T OVER
In his statement, Tank made no mention of the organizing that pressured his decision, if all people inside would be allowed visitation, and issued no restitution for choosing to uphold this abhorrent policy since taking office. He is still in charge of a violent carceral system. He also has not instituted visitation at the work center. Please keep an eye out for a renewed push for the work center!
Below are the testimonies from people inside the Whatcom County Jail on their experience of no in-person visitation. Let these stories renew and sustain your commitment to holding the jail and Sheriff’s department accountable to their commitments and push them towards complete abolition.
UNCHAIN WHATCOM 