NASW Mourns Moya Atkinson: Social Work Leader, Advocate Against Solitary Confinement
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is deeply saddened by the passing of Moya M. Atkinson, former executive director of NASW’s Maryland Chapter and a social worker nationally recognized as a human rights advocate.
Moya was an indefatigable voice in the fight to greatly reform and preferably ban the horrible practice of prolonged disciplinary solitary confinement of incarcerated men and women. Her leadership and commitment to bring an end to that practice led her to be instrumental in forming a national anti-solitary confinement advocacy group called Social Workers Against Solitary Confinement (SWASC). She and her fellow SWASC members were persistent and unhesitant in pushing state, federal and local Departments of Corrections to discontinue policies that perpetuate solitary confinement.
As a result of Moya’s persistence NASW took a stance and issued a public statement of opposition to the practice and later included a policy statement, End Prolonged Solitary Confinement in its Social Work Speaks publication.
On behalf of the NASW Board of Directors we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to Moya’s family and friends. The social work community has lost a voice and a true model of the profession’s commitment to social justice and human rights. It is with gratitude for the work that Moya has done that we say, “Farewell.” Moya will be sorely missed.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.
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