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American Friends Service Committee

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a social justice organization of people of faith committed to justice and peace through humanitarian service and political action. It aims to support values of non-violence and justice through the expression of love and divinity of all humans.

This collection focuses specifically on the AFSC's efforts to shut down Control unit prisons in the US, quickly leading to the formation of the National Campaign to Stop Control Unit Prisons (NCSCUP), a subgroup of AFSC members and concerned community members inside and outside prison walls dedicated to putting an end to the inhumane conditions within Control Units. NCSCUP was founded at a 1994 AFSC gathering of organizations and individuals concerned with the growing number of Control units within US federal penitentiaries. The organization focused primarily educational and awareness efforts surrounding Control units violation of the UN Minimum Standards for the treatment of Prisoners and asserted the use of control units as cruel and unusual punishment.

The Collection includes materials surrounding the educational and legal efforts of the organizations main east coast headquarters and 3 regional branches. The material reflects an extensive partnership between NCSCUP and prisoners, as well as other anti-prison groups.

The Campaign to Abolish Control Unit Prisons. (1995, March 21). Campaign to abolish control
unit prisons. In University of Massachusetts. Retrieved July 26, 2012, from http://people.umass.edu/kastor/groups/nacun/c.u.pamphlet.html

American Friends Service Committee. (1994, June 19). Mission and values. In American Friends Service Committee. Retrieved July 26, 2012, from http://afsc.org/mission-and-values

American Friends Service Committee. (2011, July). CA prisoners end hunger strike as officials vow positive changes. In American Friends Service Committee. Retrieved July 26, 2012, from http://www.afsc.org/story/ca-prisoners-risk-death-challenge-isolation-policies

Documents

Colorado People's Hearing: The people speak out on the racist imprisonment binge, control units, and political prisoners Colorado People's Hearing: The people speak out on the racist imprisonment binge, control units, and political prisoners
Publisher: American Friends Service committee, et. al.Year: 1996Format: FlyerCollection: American Friends Service Committee
Flyer for 4/27/1996 hearing. Part of 5/1996 mailing.
Demand justice for the Indiana 6 Demand justice for the Indiana 6
Publisher: Brew City Anti-Authoritarian CollectiveYear: 1996Format: FlyerCollection: American Friends Service Committee
Call for letters sent to Commissioner Ed Cohen and Indiana Congressional Black Caucus demanding an investigation into the racial nature of the charges against Indiana 6. Part of 10/15/1996 mailing.
Midwest regional hearing: control units, prisons and political prisoners Midwest regional hearing: control units, prisons and political prisoners
Publisher: National Committee to Free Puerto Rican Political Prisoners & POWs, et. al.Year: 1996Format: FlyerCollection: American Friends Service Committee
Photocopy of flyer for 4/20/1996 conference. Part of 2/1996 mailing. 2nd copy part of 5/1996 mailing.