Location: Northern Pacific Beanery, 108 W Park, Livingston Mt
Montana Women for will present a panel discussion on “Poverty and Women in Prison” on Thursday, May 14th at 7 PM at the Northern Pacific Beanery in Livingston.
Elizabeth Griffing and Niki Zupanic from ACLU Montana will present their work on the connection between economic conditions and the incarceration of women. Both of the speakers are attorneys and have represented women in prison in Montana.
“This topic shocked me,” says Margie Kidder of Montana Women For. “I heard these women speak recently and had not been aware of the abuses women go through in prison. There seems a direct correlation between ability to pay for an attorney and going to prison. Elizabeth and Niki have represented these inmates, fought for their rights and will speak about the conditions in our own backyard at Montana’s prison facilities.”
Ms. Griffing and Ms. Zupanic will speak about reports on taser abuse, hideous conditions, inmates being denied medication, and abuse by guards in Montana. There will be an opportunity for questions after the presentation.
Kidder continues, “With the economic downtown, many communities are seeing both an increase in the need for social services - like food pantries, and an increase in non violent crime. People are resorting to doing anything to feed their families. The combination of desperate times, desperate women and an inability to pay for an attorney can indeed lead to a life of unspeakable misery.”
The Northern Pacific Beanery is located at 108 W. Park Street in Livingston. The public is welcome, there is no admission but donations are accepted to offset the refreshments.
Montana Women For members are invited to attend a short board meeting at 6:oo PM just prior to the presentation. For more information, call 406/222-7040.
Start Time: 7:00 pm for panel discussion, 6:00 for board meeting
Date: 2009-05-14
