In New Jersey, and across the country, Departments of Corrections are subjected to little external oversight of their prisons, juvenile detention facilities or county jails. “Access” to conditions of confinement is possible only via letters and telephone calls from incarcerated men and women sharing of their experiences. Youngsters in juvenile facilities also reach out to tell their stories. In responding to these testimonies and requests from within New Jersey and throughout the country, the AFSC enables individuals to self-advocate; leading to empowerment. The information the prisoners share is also valuable to AFSC’s advocacy and policy reform efforts.