08/11/2026
Think about the last time you asked someone how they’re doing. A friend, coworker, family member. What was the response? Did they say they were a bit tired, or burnt out? Did you feel the same?
You’re not imagining it. A recent workplace survey found that about half of U.S. workers report experiencing burnout. Heavy workloads, financial burdens, and the endless notifications from various technologies has left us in a state of exhaustion.
When the going gets tough, a common recommendation is to turn to self-care. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, simply getting a restful night’s sleep is a fantastic start. It’s those little moments of relaxation; a calming shower, a quiet night, a warm meal, that can bring us back from the brink.
The Carceral Accountability Council (CAC) is passionate about providing those small moments of peace to everyone, including individuals within the carceral system. In fact, it’s part of our universal principle: every human being deserves to be treated with dignity, granted access to basic necessities, and monitored under safe, accountable conditions.
The CAC was able to put that principle into action on Saturday, August 8th at the Leavenworth Public Library. A team of volunteers piled into a reserved space for a planned packing party. The meeting room quickly took on the shape of an assembly line as more than 300 bags were filled with the building blocks of self-care:
Cup of Noodles
Body lotion
Loofah
Ear plugs
Eye mask
CAC information card
As each bag was filled, volunteers got to know each other, and other self-care strategies were shared. A favorite winding down activity among the team was indulging in a favorite bad movie. This quickly prompted a debate of the “best” bad movie, with cult classics and little-known favorites discussed with fervor. Cinema history helped the time pass quickly, and in just over an hour, the bags had been carefully packed, and watch lists had been carefully curated.
The CAC is thrilled that individuals within the carceral system will soon have the tools you and I have to fight burnout and feel restored. Something as simple as an uninterrupted night’s sleep can go a long way to feeling and doing your best.
Our next packing party will be scheduled soon, possibly screening a popular bad movie while we pack. If you’d like to join the team for an afternoon of organization and potential movie mania, visit our website. You can also purchase bulk items from our list. However you choose to volunteer, you’ll be helping to provide those small moments that help us all feel human again.
