Our mission is to bring about structural changes to the oppressive legal and prison systems existing within the United States. American mass incarceration is largely carried out with the public’s blessings. That feat in itself is accomplished by a concerted effort from the media and political forces that seem to kowtow to the massive prison industry and it’s ancillary networks.

For hearts to change and minds to open, we must listen to—and actively engage with—new perspectives.

Thus, Captive Voices is a platform for the incarcerated, their families, well-wishers, and all who strive to prioritize human rights in this country and beyond.

Unlike other such forums that assist in amplifying the voices of the incarcerated, we are not simply a digest. We believe in and strive for advocacy! Therefore, we urge you to join us, and add your voices to become catalysts for change. The time is now, the world is listening. Do you have anything to say?

Captive Voices was inspired by the works of Tariq MaQbool. Tariq’s family and friends created an accessible site to encourage others to tell their truths, because the reality is that the odds are stacked against the incarcerated in this country. Their plight goes unchecked due to a systematic silencing by the political elite, the prison industrial complex, and the media at large.

Moreover, there remains a silent populace: the loved ones of those who are locked behind bars. They, too, are held captive emotionally and financially. In a way, they are also “doing time” due to the brutality of a cyclical and arbitrary criminal legal system.

Therefore, to bring about change, we wholeheartedly believe in Tariq’s vision and mission to educate the public by sharing a first hand narrative from behind the walls.

We hope that you will join us in this endeavor, and that you will lend your hand, efforts, best wishes, and voice in pursuit of a better future.