While wrongfully convicted and incarcerated, Ismail lost his mother. No appeal or court ruling can return the years stolen from their relationship.

He has also missed meaningful time with his fourth child and granddaughter because alternating weekend visits and restrictive prison policies do not allow families to build real connection. Three hours a week, one quick hug, no Eid parties, no helping with homework, no attending school meetings regularly, no consistent parental decision-making. Families are expected to survive on crumbs of contact while carrying mountains of grief.

This Mother’s Day season, we reflect on the words of Julia Ward Howe, abolitionist, women’s rights advocate, and peace activist, who called on women across nations to unite against war, suffering, and needless destruction.

In the spirit of her Mother’s Day Proclamation, we call for national standards that protect family connection for incarcerated people and their loved ones:
• Meaningful, contact-centered visitation
• Expanded family days and child-friendly visits
• Consistent access to educational and parental decision-making
• Humane communication policies
• And a serious commitment to challenging wrongful convictions before more families lose parents, children, grandparents, and precious years they can never get back

Mass incarceration is not only a prison issue. It is a family separation issue. A caregiver issue. A community issue. A peace issue.

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