Diana Covarrubias, newly elected “outside” Jailhouse Lawyer Vice President.
Thank you for participating in the election among jailhouse lawyer members for a formerly incarcerated, “outside” representative to hold the position of co-Jailhouse Lawyer Vice President (JLVP) on the National Executive Committee (NEC). There were five very qualified nominees. We are thrilled to announce that the winner is Diana Covarrubias! Diana joins our board with over 20 years of law clerk experience and currently works with Justice Now, in Oakland, CA.
At Justice Now, Diana is the Legal Services Coordinator, where she provides direct client services and advocacy regarding human rights abuses in conditions of confinement, medical care (navigating the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation/CDCR medical system), and compassionate release. Having experience and knowledge of CDCR policies, procedures, and legal remedies, Diana follows the mission of Justice Now in serving the needs of marginalized incarcerated women and the LGBTQI+ community within CDCR. She promotes wellness, healing, and recovery from the abuses endured pre-incarceration, to the trauma of mass incarceration, and exploitation post-incarceration. Diana advocates for change in the women’s prison industrial complex. In San Francisco, she volunteers with Sister Circle Women’s Support Network, assisting system-impacted women. Diana is also continuing her education as a student at CCSF.
We are now accepting nominations for an “inside” Jailhouse Lawyer VP who will serve as the NEC co-chair. This person will maintain regular communication with the outside chair and act as the voice for incarcerated members in our jailhouse lawyer membership program. This includes representing the interests of JLH members, and supporting involvement in NLG work when logistically feasible through centering the opinions and ideas of incarcerated members in Guild Notes.
To be considered a nominee, you need to be presently incarcerated, and will be so for at least another five (5) years at minimum.
Your submission should include the length of your incarceration sentence and why you wish take on this role, including an idea you think that the NLG can implement to improve the membership program. Submissions should be no longer than one 150 words, and can be sent to:
NLG, Attn: JHL Nominations
132 Nassau St., #922
New York, NY 10038
Please mail your submission to us by August 31, 2019
Thank you and please join us in welcoming Diana! We look forward to receiving your submissions!