Humanism For All aims to connect incarcerated people who identify as humanist, atheist, agnostic, or non-religious with the wider humanist movement by providing them with educational and community-building resources, opportunities to share their stories with other humanists, and in some instances, legal support when they don’t receive the same rights and privileges as their religious peers.
AHA Membership
Understanding that incarcerated people have limited financial resources, the American Humanist Association offers a $2 reduced rate membership exclusively to incarcerated individuals that can be paid by check, money order, or unused stamps. Membership includes a one-year subscription to the Humanist magazine, a copy of Roy Speckhardt’s Creating Change through Humanism, an order form for printed versions of our online courses, and an AHA bookmarker. Paroled and recently released individuals may continue the $2 reduced rate for their first year out or pay the $25 low-income rate if unable to afford regular membership.
Prison Chapters
Incarcerated humanists have the right to form a humanist group at their institution and AHA can provide useful resources and legal support as able. Groups often hold discussions, celebrate holidays, and may invite guests for special events. Prison humanist groups can apply to become AHA Chapters by gathering five registered AHA members, agreeing democratically to join the AHA, adopting the Humanist Manifesto, and contacting the AHA Education Coordinator. AHA chapters receive preference for educational materials and staff support on programming. All groups are listed on our website and we will try to connect them with local AHA members and groups.
Educational Materials
To make humanism more available to those with limited or no Internet access, the AHA Center for Education mails printed versions of our online courses, lists of available Humanist Press books, and other online humanist resources upon request.
We also collect donated books and DVDs, and donations to purchase Humanist Press books to send to individuals and groups in facilities that allow such materials. Donated materials must be in good condition, related to humanism, science, or secularism, and cannot include any attachments. Hardcover books are usually not allowed for individuals but some facility libraries will accept them. If you are unsure if an item will be accepted, please email us at HumanismForAll@americanhumanist.org to ask. Donations can be sent to:
Humanism For All
1821 Jefferson Place NW
Washington, DC 20036
The Humanist Magazine’s Inside the Walls Column
To increase the visibility of humanism thriving within the U.S. prison system, a column by incarcerated humanists runs in the AHA’s quarterly magazine, the Humanist. We seek personal narrative submissions of 700–1,400 words on personal experiences learning about humanism in prison; incidences of overt religiosity and proselytizing among fellow incarcerated people; efforts to bring humanism to the prison; or observation of government endorsement of religion. Please note, submission authors are required to send a waiver acknowledging that the piece will be published with only initials in the byline.
Read previous Inside the Walls articles here.
Communicating with AHA Staff
Questions or comments about Humanism For All can be sent to HumanismForAll@americanhumanist.org. If you know an individual that might be interested in participating in our program, you can mail them our program info sheet (PDF).
Incarcerated humanists are welcome to write to us at:
Humanism For All
1821 Jefferson Place NW
Washington, DC 20036
Or email us on CorrLinks at aha@americanhumanist.org or on JPay at enewman@americanhumanist.org.