In a newsletter published today by Just Detention International, the non-profit’s Executive Director, Linda McFarlane, recounts the remarkable story of Jonas Caballero.
Today, Jonas is one of the leaders in the fight to end sexual abuse in detention. He recently earned his law degree from Albany Law School and is a member of JDI’s Survivor Council and Board of Directors.
Before Jonas became a fierce advocate for survivors, his life took an unexpected turn of events. After graduating from college, summa cum laude, he won a Fulbright scholarship and earned a Master’s from Cambridge. So far so good. But after he moved moved to New York full of hope, Jonas struggled to find work. He eventually fell into a deep depression and found himself in the throes of a serious drug addiction. Before long, he was selling drugs to survive. One day in 2017, Jonas awoke to the sound of police breaking down his apartment door. He ended up in a Brooklyn jail.
While he was incarcerated, he was sexually assaulted by an officer. He immediately reported it, but he was mocked and harassed for doing so.
While incarcerated Jonas wrote 143 letters from his jail cell pleading for help. But his cries went unanswered. In addition to writing letters, he filed grievances and reports with the corrections officials. He even called 311, New York’s non-emergency helpline — which led to more harassment from staff, who called him “Mr. 311.”
When Jonas was transferred to a state prison, the humiliation and abuse continued. During an invasive medical exam, a female officer who was sick of Jonas filing reports refused to leave the room as he lay naked and unconscious. She stayed to humiliate him.
During this lonely time, Jonas saw a poster with JDI’s address. He wrote to JDI, who sent him back a letter telling him that we believed him and that he deserved dignity and compassion. JDI also sent self-help healing information and a list of resources — including a rape crisis center near the prison. Jonas called immediately and was connected with a counselor who would change his life.
Incarcerated no longer, Jonas is thriving.
How To Help Others Like Jonas
To help end staff-on-inmate sexual abuse, consider donating to advocacy groups like Just Detention International.
As Jonas says of JDI:
“There is no one else fighting for incarcerated survivors like JDI does. We need people to stand with us to ensure every voice is heard. We need you.”
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