Introduction
Though limited in power and resources, the advocacy agency may advocate for human rights in different ways. Prisons have become centers of various law violations as the current system does not treat prisoners fairly. For the protection of human rights in prisons, it is important to examine the existing practices and incorporate the knowledge about the existing organizations and methods of promoting social justice.
Possible Ways of Advocating for Social Justice
The first way is to raise social awareness of the issue. Nowadays, social media is a powerful advocacy tool as it connects diverse voices to promote some cause or mobilize for change. Norander (2017) suggests that nongovernmental agencies rely on digital communities, utilizing action messages that “are aimed at mobilizing the audience to do something for the organization or cause and to take direct action in the advocacy campaign” (p. 4). The second way involves cooperation with policy entrepreneurs. Powerful or wealthy people have the tenacity to introduce changes during open policy windows (Cullerton et al., 2018). The correct presentation of agencies’ views to entrepreneurs may later promote the ideas of social justice and human rights. Other possible practices include meetings with legislators, board directors, or walking picket lines (Hoefer, 2019). Advocating for social changes is not a simple task for a single agency, so cooperation with other organizations and individuals is required in most cases.
The Prison Law Office
The Prison Law Office is an excellent example of a non-profit public interest law firm specializing in fair justice for prisoners. It consists of a small staff of lawyers who try to prevent unlawful treatment in California prisons. As the PLO (n.d.) claims, they “engage in class action and other impact litigation, advocate for policy and law changes, assist individuals in administrative actions and lawsuits, educate the public, create and distribute self-help information” (para. 1). The work of this agency helps to understand the correct ways of assistance by efforts of a small agency. Due to their lack of staff, they have to cooperate with other law organizations such as American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project. The work process includes meetings with citizens at the town hall, cooperation with the governor as well as filing lawsuits. The PLO example supports the idea that agencies should work together with other entrepreneurs to reach their goals of promoting social justice.
Suicides in Prison
Suicides in prison have become a matter of concern for international human rights organizations. This phenomenon, particularly self-inflicted death, requires serious regulation. For example, to prevent this process, the European Court of Human Rights works to improve material conditions and promote rehabilitation and human dignity (Rogan, 2018). It investigates breaches of human rights and may award compensation to the victims. Special standards should be followed in prisons, and such organizations observe whether medical care is provided to prisoners with mental health needs or whether professionals are qualified to offer their services. Screening programs are implemented to examine suicide risk factors, and prevention strategies are utilized.
The System of Prisons
Educational materials may come in various forms. Mathews, who started his work as a correctional officer and later moved to community corrections, suggests that the system in prisons does not work properly and proposes a lasting impact (TEDx Talks). People are not assigned to prisons according to their needs for rehabilitation and treatment. Additional material like this serves as a great source of information and knowledge as it provides real-life experience. Situations that are usually described in these videos can be used in learning for practice as cases. The people who create podcasts raise social awareness, and their examples are well-suited for promoting policies concerning justice. The ideas of such individuals may be incorporated into human rights practices by presenting them as supporting material in speeches.
Conclusion
The study shows that cooperation is the best way for an advocacy agency to support human rights and protect social justice. Social awareness should be raised about the existing problems to promote the necessary changes. The system of prisons is corrupted, flawed, and requires special attention. It may be quite entertaining to look for the information in various podcasts and videos and incorporate the experience of others into practice.
References
Cullerton, K., Donnet, T., Lee, A., & Gallegos, D. (2018). Effective advocacy strategies for influencing government nutrition policy: A conceptual model. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15(1), 1-11.
Hoefer, R. (2019). Advocacy practice for social justice. Oxford University Press.
Norander, S. (2017). Advocacy. The International Encyclopedia of Organizational Communication, 1-5. Web.
Prison Law Office. (n.d.). About us.
Rogan, M. (2018). Human rights approaches to suicide in prison: implications for policy, practice and research. Health & Justice, 6(15), 1-11.
TEDx Talks. (2017). The surprising reason our correctional system doesn’t work. [Video].