Mental Health Challenges Faced by Justice-Impacted Women
Women impacted by the criminal legal system face layered expectations: secure stable housing, meet supervision requirements, reunify with children, and gain employment. These demands are often made without regard for the trauma they carry or the barriers they face. At the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), our Clinical Services center on support, recovery, and possibility. It’s…
Why Culturally-Inclusive, Trauma-Informed Clinical Care Matters
Culturally-inclusive. Trauma-informed. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re principles built into our history and mission. Since 1845, the Women’s Prison Association (WPA) has adapted to the evolving needs of the populations we serve. In 1929, in response to the increasing number of incarcerated Black women, WPA hired a Black social worker, making it one of the first…
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Nancy Carr, Former WPA Board President
We celebrate the life and legacy of Nancy Carr, a former Board President of WPA committed to community and service, who passed away at the age 90. Nancy served on WPA’s Board of Directors beginning in 1984 and was involved in the organization in various capacities, including as Board President, Secretary, and across specialized committees….
Closing Rikers Island: Why Community-Based Solutions Are Critical Investments
Closing Rikers Island doesn’t just mean shutting down the facilities—it’s about investing in prevention and true public safety. Alongside partner organizations, we’re urging the city to expand proven initiatives that invest in our communities, not the carceral system. With the Rikers Island jail complex set to close in 2027, these critical changes are essential to…
Alcohol Awareness Month: The Urgent Need for Treatment Access Before, During, and After Incarceration
April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to acknowledge the widespread impact of substance misuse and advocate for effective treatment solutions. For women impacted by the criminal legal system, substance use disorders, including alcohol misuse, are often both a cause and a consequence of incarceration. The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) understands firsthand that addressing substance misuse…
Annual Report 2023-2024: The Impact of Our Critical Work
WPA is excited to share our 2023-2024 Annual Report, highlighting the past year of meaningful opportunities and lasting change created for those impacted by incarceration. As we embark on a new chapter at WPA, we are so grateful for the support we receive that leads to positive outcomes for women and gender-diverse individuals before, during, and after…
Hear from a WPA Clinical Intern, Fatoumata Magassa
Fatoumata Magassa (she/her) is passionate about bringing trauma-informed care into client-centered counseling at jails and prisons, advocating for the rights of incarcerated individuals, and helping her clients find hope and unyielding courage during incarceration and reentry. A Harlem native, Fatoumata is graduating in May of 2025 with a master’s in social work from Columbia University….
How We Empower Formerly Incarcerated Women with Transformative Opportunities through Workforce Development
Every woman deserves meaningful opportunities that empower her to take charge of her life. At the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), our Workforce Development program gives formerly incarcerated women the resources and support they need to prepare for and pursue employment. “One of the greatest challenges people face after incarceration is securing a job; the hiring…
Testimony of Meg Egan, CEO of the Women’s Prison Association, for the Committee on Criminal Justice Preliminary Budget Hearing
You can watch CEO Meg Egan’s testimony here. The transcript is provided below. March 7, 2025 Good afternoon, my name is Meg Egan, and it is my great honor and privilege to lead the Women’s Prison Association. Chair Nurse and the rest of the members of the committee, I want to thank you for the…
5 Black Female Leaders in the Criminal Justice Reform Movement
In celebration of Black History Month, WPA is highlighting five unforgettable Black female leaders in the criminal justice reform movement. Angela Davis (b. 1944; Birmingham, AL) Angela Davis is a scholar, activist, and author known for her work in civil rights, social justice, and prison abolition. Davis gained national attention in the 1970s when she…
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