APSC Welcomes New Co-executive Directors!
On behalf of the Council of Asian Prisoner Support Committee, it is with true excitement and joy that we are writing to share this important update! We are pleased to introduce our incoming Co-Directors–Chanthon Bun and Jeannia Jia Ni Fu!
Co-Directors–Jeannia Jia Ni Fu and Chanthon Bun
Together Bun and J embody a partnership rooted in a shared vision, values, and commitment to healing, transformation, and justice. Bun shares, “Hope gives us the strength to rebuild, and it’s the foundation on which we can stand. I am excited to be the Co-Director of APSC alongside J because I am passionate about leading with hope, advocating for those who have been overlooked, and helping our community break free from the chains of trauma and injustice. J and I share this life path. This opportunity allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself, where together we can transform lives and create real change.
We have full confidence in this team to lead APSC into the future! And, we could not have gotten to this moment without our community! We extend gratitude to the amazing Thanh Tran, Interim Executive Director who has stepped up in countless ways to lead APSC at such a critical time. Thank you to our incredible and talented staff, our fiscal sponsor AACRE, and of course our community and families for your support, patience, and faith in APSC. A special shout-out to Heising Simons Foundation, New Breath Foundation, AAPI Civic Engagement Fund, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Asian Pacific Fund, and The California Endowment for their additional institutional support of APSC’s leadership transition– This support has been invaluable to our sustainability and deeply appreciated!
Please stay tuned for opportunities to meet and welcome the Co-Directors soon! You may reach out with comments and questions to info@asianprisonersupport.org.
Mission & History
The mission of the Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC) is to provide direct support to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) prisoners and to raise awareness about the growing number of APIs being imprisoned, detained, and deported.
Since 2002, APSC has led programs in prisons, organized anti-deportation campaigns, provided resources to “lifers,” and developed culturally relevant reentry programs. APSC grew out of the campaign to support the “San Quentin 3”—Eddy Zheng, Viet Mike Ngo, and Rico Riemedio. The San Quentin 3 advocated for Ethnic Studies at San Quentin and in retaliation by the prison administration—were sent to solitary confinement and transferred to different prisons. After spending months in solitary confinement (up to 11 months), Eddy, Mike, and Rico were released and eventually, all received parole (Eddy 2005, Rico 2007, Mike 2011).
For over a decade, APSC operated as an all-volunteer organization. In 2017, APSC hired its first paid staff employees and opened an office space in Oakland Chinatown. Today, APSC facilitates Ethnic Studies programs in prisons, provides community-based reentry services, and organizes deportation defense campaigns.
Read our Annual Report (2022) to learn more about our programs, finances, and leadership.
Video Credits: KimberLee Webber, TalkOakland.org
Did You Know?
Approximately 190,900 “Others,” including APIs, were reported to be in the state and federal prison system in 2017 (Bureau of Justice Statistics).
During the prison boom of the 1990s, the API prison population grew by 250% while the overall prison population grew by 77%.
(AAPIs Behind Bars Report)
In 2020, APSC provide reentry care to 102 formerly incarcerated reentry clients served of which less than 2% of recidivated.
In 2020, APSC mailed over 3,000 letters, cards, support letters, and newsletters to incarcerated individuals.
In 2020, APSC featured over 550 incarcerated and formerly incarcerated community members’ experiences in narrative change strategies (survey, anthology, media).
