W H A T I S C R I M E ?

We must separate harm and accountability from crime. "Crime" is constructed: its meaning and what falls within it can change over time and is often controlled by those in power.

Many "crimes" are acts of survival that poor and oppressed people rely on. They are acts that existed and were exercised before they were criminalized-legally or culturally defined as "crimes."

Drug use and houselessness are criminalized in the U.S., while they are treated as public health issues in other countries and are not dealt with criminally. States and power structures decide to label certain social issues as “crimes” and use prison, surveillance, and policing as solutions, instead of providing services, such as housing or affordable healthcare.