Trans Empowerment Project
Help a client who's incarcerated for life
We're hoping that someone would be willing to speak with and possibly assist one of our incarcerated clients.
Posted November 11, 2020
Background & Context
Alex Mercado is a Hispanic trans man who was imprisoned for first-degree murder 13 years ago. He has never had access to dedicated attorneys who would look into possibly helping him reduce his sentence. He was young and scared, and accepted a plea deal for life in prison, with a minimum of 45 years. He is currently being held in a women's facility and has faced transphobia and verbal abuse from the corrections officers in the facility.
Immediate Problem
This will give Alex the chance to speak to a knowledgeable attorney. We are no experts in the law and are unsure if anything can even be done to help him, but we'd at least like to try. Our organization is currently making sure that Alex has money in his commissary to buy food and gender-affirming toiletries, and we also sent him a binder (chest compression undergarment).
Work & Deliverables
We hope that the volunteer(s) will review Alex's case to see if there is some way to help him, possibly with a reduction in sentencing.
Preparation Phase
- Meet to discuss the client and his situation
Collaboration Phase
- Work with the client to review his case
- Possibly help client successfully petition for a reduced sentence
Wrap Up
- Debrief with coordinator at Trans Empowerment Project
Trans Empowerment Project
Trans Empowerment Project's mission is to "elevate trans and gender non-conforming communities out of crisis and into empowerment in order to advocate for our own liberation and autonomy". The organization was started in Dec. of 2016 to help address the needs of trans and gender non-conforming community members in Knoxville, TN. However, within a year of launch, the organization expanded it's outreach to meet the needs of community members outside of TN. In 2018, we provided over 520 emergency resources for trans and gender non-conforming individuals nationwide.
Trans Empowerment Project
Trans Empowerment Project's mission is to "elevate trans and gender non-conforming communities out of crisis and into empowerment in order to advocate for our own liberation and autonomy". The organization was started in Dec. of 2016 to help address the needs of trans and gender non-conforming community members in Knoxville, TN. However, within a year of launch, the organization expanded it's outreach to meet the needs of community members outside of TN. In 2018, we provided over 520 emergency resources for trans and gender non-conforming individuals nationwide.