"I like giving people the feeling of agency - that their voice matters," said Juan Moreno Haines, who is incarcerated at San Quentin. Haines emphasizes the importance of feeling empowered even while in prison, advocating for the recognition of inmates as citizens who deserve to express their opinions, especially during an election year. This sentiment drives the participation in their mock elections, which serve to channel their views and maintain engagement in civic matters.
"Democracy needs everyone and we're a part of the society," said Haines. "The fact that we're incarcerated, we're still American citizens. We care about our communities and our voice matters." This powerful statement underscores the essential view that incarcerated individuals retain their citizenship and, despite their circumstances, still have valuable contributions to societal dialogue, reflecting their desire for inclusion in democratic processes.
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