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ABOUT US

The International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women (INFIW) brings together hundreds of women in more than 30 countries on 6 continents. Founded and led by directly impacted women, INFIW was created in response to the alarming increase in women’s incarceration globally and the devastating harms caused by incarceration on women and their children, families and communities.

MISSION

VISION

We envision a world free of all forms of punishment and where all women and children live with dignity and full respect for their human rights

INFIW is an international coalition of formerly incarcerated women committed to working collectively to change the prevailing paradigm from punishment to transformative justice and to end the incarceration of women and girls around the world.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • Dignity and Human Rights: We promote unconditional respect for the dignity and human rights of all women and girls impacted by criminal legal systems, and fight to ensure that women deprived of liberty are treated humanely, are free from violence, and have their basic needs met.

 

  • International solidarity:  We build and foster global solidarity with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls and all of those directly impacted by criminal legal systems, family members and others in the global community committed to this cause.

 

  • Women’s empowerment: We elevate the voices of women who are directly impacted by criminal legal systems, ensuring that they are actively involved in the search for alternatives.

 

  • Bringing down the bars:  We organize and speak out against any measures that expand the use of prisons or any other form of confinement, and advocate for alternatives to incarceration for those women who are already ensnared in criminal legal systems.

 

  • Post-prison support:  We support women released from prison (including migrant women) in rebuilding their lives, and seek to strengthen the capacities of communities to promote their full and effective social reintegration.

 

  • Awareness-raising: We educate people about the devastating impact of incarceration on women and fight to end the discrimination and stigma suffered by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, including trans women and those who identify as gender diverse.

 

  • Paradigm shift:  We work tirelessly to change the paradigm from punishment to transformative justice.

 

  • Reinvest resources: We also work tirelessly for redirecting resources out of criminal legal systems and into policies and programs that invest in communities to promote the health and well-being of women and children.  

 

  • Global Collaboration: We collaborate with organizations and networks around the world to share knowledge, resources and effective strategies, and to engage in advocacy to end the incarceration of women and girls.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

INFIW members are expected to

 

  • Respect and promote INFIW’s Guiding Principles: Maintain and actively promote INFIW’s guiding principles in all activities and communications.

 

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  • Actively participate: Actively engage in network meetings and activities, participate in at least one working group, and contribute to online dialogues. 

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  • Build solidarity and connect:  Connect and collaborate with other members of the network, fostering national, regional and international solidarity with formerly incarcerated women.
     

  • Respect each other: Work collectively to ensure an atmosphere of mutual respect and solidarity, with a commitment to equity among peers.
     

  • Listen carefully: Listen attentively to others and make sure that all members have the opportunity to be heard.
     

  • Respect diversity: Respect differences in opinions and political views, as well as gender diversities, promoting an inclusive environment for all.
     

  • Participate in collective decisions: Engage in collective decision-making processes, led by formerly incarcerated women. In following these guidelines, we ensure that INFIW is a safe and enriching space for all of its members, promoting an environment of mutual support and effective collaboration.


    MEMBERSHIP CRITEREA:

    NFIW is primarily composed of organizations founded and led by formerly incarcerated women and formerly incarcerated women activists.
     

  • NFIW includes all of those who identify as women, including trans women, or as gender diverse. 

    To be a part of INFW, organizations and individuals must fully support and embrace the network’s Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles; respect its Community Guidelines; and agree to participate actively in the network.

    Organizations that seek to advance INFIW’s mission, but are not led by formerly incarcerated women, are welcome to participate as affiliate members. Affiliate members must respect that decision-making within the network is led by those directly impacted by criminal legal systems, ensuring that their experiences and perspectives are centered in all INFIW decisions and initiatives.

PARTNERS

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