For as long as there have been prisons, there have been advocates fighting for the rights and humanity of those trapped within them. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 70s to today’s struggles for prison reform, the walls of prisons have often been as much barriers to change as the laws and protocols that govern them. Yet, history shows us that those barriers, while formidable, are not Insurmountable. Prisoners and their advocates have always found ways to resist the system, often by operating outside the rules imposed by the institutions that seek to silence them.
A powerful example of this resistance comes from figures like George Jackson, Malcolm X, and Angela Davis. George Jackson, a member of the Black Panther Party and the author of Soledad Brother, became a symbol of resistance from behind bars. His activism and writings exposed the cruelty of the prison system and how it was inextricably linked to broader societal oppression, particularly against Black Americans. Similarly, Malcolm X’s transformation while incarcerated, and his subsequent role as a major figure in the fight for racial justice, underscores how prisons can serve as sites of radicalization and rebellion, despite—or perhaps because of—the efforts of authorities to suppress these voices.
These figures faced relentless opposition, not only from the legal system but from the very rules that governed prison life. Malcolm X famously wrote in The Autobiography of Malcolm X that even reading and writing were battles for him in prison. Restricted access to books, limited communication with the outside world, and constant surveillance were all tools used to keep prisoners isolated and powerless. Yet, both Malcolm X and George Jackson found ways to connect with those on the outside, to write, to organize, and to challenge the systems that sought to suppress them. They didn’t do this by following the rules—they did it by bending, breaking, and working around them.
Today, the situation remains strikingly similar. In many states, prisoners are forbidden from speaking to the media, cutting off one of the most effective avenues for telling their stories. Volunteers who enter prisons to help with educational or religious programs often face strict limitations on how they can engage with incarcerated individuals. In some cases, these volunteers are prohibited from even corresponding with prisoners or offering personal support in legal matters like parole hearings. This contradiction—that volunteers are invited into the prison to help, but are constrained by the same system they are trying to change—is a stark example of how institutional protocols hinder effective advocacy.
This is particularly true in places like South Carolina, where the prison system is deeply rooted in what many refer to as a “plantation mentality.” The control exercised over incarcerated individuals in these systems is reminiscent of the old slave codes, where even the most basic human freedoms were tightly regulated. Just as enslaved people in the 19th century had to rely on the Underground Railroad—an illegal network of secret routes and safe houses to escape to freedom—today’s incarcerated individuals and their advocates often have to find ways around institutional restrictions to effect real change. The rules are designed to maintain the status quo, not to empower those seeking justice.
This is not a call for reckless disregard of all rules, but a recognition that some rules are designed not for safety or rehabilitation, but for control. And when those rules become obstacles to justice, it becomes necessary to challenge them. Paul the Apostle, one of the key figures in the Bible, faced similar challenges as he sought to build the early Christian church. Constantly persecuted and imprisoned, Paul did not stop his mission because of the authorities; instead, he found ways to spread his message, often in defiance of the laws of the time. The early Christians built their faith through underground networks, much like those who fought to abolish slavery in the 19th century. Without the courage to defy unjust laws, there would have been no Underground Railroad, and slavery might have persisted far longer.
The lessons of history are clear: when the system is built to oppress, following its rules often perpetuates that oppression. In the fight for justice, advocates—both inside and outside prison walls—must be willing to take risks. Malcolm X, George Jackson, Angela Davis, and others knew this. So did Harriet Tubman, who risked her life time and again to lead enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. These historical figures remind us that true progress often requires stepping outside the bounds of what is considered acceptable or legal at the time.
This brings us to the present. Advocates today must grapple with the ethical concerns of how far they are willing to go in challenging the system. Volunteers, professors, and other well-meaning individuals who work with prisoners often face difficult decisions: should they follow institutional rules that limit their impact, or should they risk stepping outside those boundaries to create real change? These are not easy questions, but the history of prisoner advocacy shows that meaningful change has rarely come from those who simply followed the rules.
As an incarcerated person, I understand the risks involved. Speaking out, challenging authority, and seeking support from those on the outside can invite retaliation from the very system that is supposed to be rehabilitating us. But I also understand that without these risks, change is impossible. I take these risks because I believe in the possibility of a better future, not just for myself, but for all of us who are caught in a system designed to keep us down.
For those who are considering advocacy, whether from inside or outside the prison system, I would encourage you to reflect on the lessons of history. From the early Christians to the abolitionists, from the Civil Rights activists to today’s prison reformers, change has always required risk. The system, by its nature, will place obstacles in your way. But as we’ve seen time and again, those obstacles can be overcome—if we are willing to push against them.
“If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.” –Malcolm X
Advocacy is not easy, and it is not safe. But it is necessary.
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