Prisoner Peace Pacts

A Framework for Parallel Systems

By the incarcerated, for the incarcerated.
Representation. Dignity. Unity.

The Vision

Prisons are total control systems — closed micro-nations inside a democracy. But even behind bars, self-governance is possible.

Prisoner Peace Pacts are voluntary, hand-to-hand treaties created by incarcerated people to end internal violence, promote mutual aid, and reclaim shared dignity.

This is not a policy reform or a protest.
It is a framework. A structure. A way forward.

Rooted in legacy — from the Iroquois Confederacy to the Zapatistas, kibbutzim, and peer-led councils inside — these pacts create a parallel system of representation built on trust, peace, and shared survival.

The Seven Steps

1. Identify Factions: Quietly observe the yard. Who influences what? Who can de-escalate? Map the real balance of power.
2. Quiet Peace Talks: Privately approach one person in each group. Ask:
   “Would you agree to a short truce if it helped us all?”
3. Name Neutral Reps: Each group chooses one neutral representative. No colors. No gang names. These are not leaders — they’re bridges.
4. Hold a Council (Any Way You Can): Yard conversations. Notes through books. A quiet talk in the dayroom. First goal: name shared problems and shared goals — violence, unfair treatment, education, dignity.
5. Draft a One-Page Pact: Example:
   • No violence between groups
   • Mutual aid: mentorship, food, support
   • A path forward rooted in peace and unity
   Copy it. Sign it. Pass it around. Make it real.
6. Take Quiet Action: Pick one thing: Reading groups. Clean-up teams. Peer-to-peer support. Let results prove it works.
7. Speak as One, When Ready: If needed, the Council may present a shared position: Letters. Petitions. Calm refusal.
   Representation, not chaos. Strength through unity.

"This is not a demand. It’s a declaration — that we can govern ourselves with honor."