Joyce “Joy” Powell

Following her incarceration at Albion Correctional Facility from 1992 to 1993, Joyce Powell became an esteemed activist against the violence and injustice against incarcerated women. After her release, Joy joined the Rochester Challenge Against Violence, an advocacy group run through the mayor’s office that focused on addressing violence in her community through street clean-ups, candlelight vigils, and more. In addition, Joy started an organization called “Equality and Justice for All,” where she often gave pep talks to young people to dissuade them from violence. Later, glaring examples of violently discriminatory policing in Joy’s community called her to speak out against police brutality. While law enforcement initially applauded Joy’s calls to end gun violence, their attitudes changed when she shifted her focus to them. This activist work—specifically a compliant Joy was filing with the Rochester Police Department’s Internal Affairs unit regarding the police related death of a mentally ill man at a grocery store—put a target on her back.

In 2007, following a trial that showcased no eyewitnesses or physical evidence linking her to the crime, Joy was convicted of 1st degree assault and burglary and sentenced to 16 years. The only evidence presented was the word of a confidential informant, who was granted immunity for testifying against Joy. While serving this sentence, at 46 years old Joy was accused and convicted of second-degree murder in a cold case. Following an all-white jury trial, she was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. During the trial, the judge refused to allow any testimony related to Joy’s advocacy work or her status as a clergy member. Joy—along with her many supporters—maintains her innocence in this conviction and the 2007 conviction. She has been incarcerated for 17 years and will not be eligible for parole until the year 2045, when she is eighty-three years old.  

Despite being incarcerated, Joy continues advocating for what is right. She has worked tirelessly for better conditions and treatment for herself and other incarcerated women. For instance, Joy successfully advocated to introduce fans into Bedford Hills Correctional facility to combat the summer heat. Similarly, she has participated in multiple letter campaigns, including writing letters to the New York Civil Rights and Liberties Union (NYCLU) in support of the organization advocating for requiring the use of body worn cameras by all corrections officers. After being placed in solitary confinement for four years upon reporting a sexual assault by a corrections officer, Joy successfully advocated against the inhumane nature of solitary confinement and to change the disciplinary guidelines surrounding solitary.

In addition to her advocacy, Joy’s most fulfilling work comes from directly helping others. As an escorting guide for the legally blind, she supports individuals facing vision loss. Joy appreciates how traumatizing it can be for people going from having the ability to see to going blind. This is amplified by the trauma of incarceration. In her role, Joy helps people move around the facility to locations such as the mess hall, infirmary, and counselors’ office. With Joy’s help, people can get to essential activities like programming and visits with family and friends.

While physically guiding people is rewarding, Joy uses faith to guide women spiritually. Before her conviction, Joy found great value in being a Pentecostal pastor in her community. Where she once worked in youth outreach, encouraging young people to express their emotions through writing and the arts and pursuing education, she continues that work at Bedford. Joy became a facilitator for the Nation of Islam, which allows her to gather women from many different backgrounds to pray and to read both the Bible and the Koran. For Joy, this position means more to her then just religion; it provides Joy one more opportunity to uplift the women around her.  During her group meetings, Joy passes a mirror around to each woman in the group so they can look at their reflections and say, “I am loved and I am beautiful.”

Uplifting women in the facility has been a common theme for Joy throughout her incarceration. Joy has spent her time at Bedford supporting her fellow incarcerated women. Joy believes that incarcerated women are more than just their crime; many simply made a mistake or were fighting for their lives. It is this understanding and perspective that encourages Joy to continue supporting the women in her community through her various positions within the facility.

Despite having a lengthy sentence, Joy continues to look to the future and to one day being free. If released, Joy hopes to create an organization catered to incarcerated women who lack family support. It should come as no surprise to anyone that Joy’s post release plans are centered on improving her community; much like her tireless work prior to incarceration and her current work within Bedford Hills. For Joy, her advocacy for women, children, the disabled, and the elderly embodies the true essence of “equality and justice for all.”