In solidarity against dehumanization: wisdoms from the people’s campaign for parole justice

Psychology has failed to meet an epistemological imperative. Presently and formerly incarcerated people are rarely included in psychological scholarship about the carceral system as co-constructors of knowledge. Grounded in Liberation Psychology, this research centers the wisdoms of grassroots organizers from New York’s Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) campaign. This study aims both to critique the current parole application process and challenge traditional Western psychological research methods for studying dehumanization. Analyses and policy recommendations stem from focus group data regarding how survivor-organizers (1) understand, critique, and advocate for reforming the parole application process, and (2) evaluate and critically respond to psychological research approaches to understanding dehumanization. I weave in reflexivity by narrating trial and error, as I engage the “knots” of epistemic justice and ultimately, make the case for participatory commitments in research. Overall, the findings indicate an urgent need for both policy change and psychologists’ solidarity with liberation movements.