Orange is the New Black: Netflix show launches fund to reform criminal justice system

The fund, which supports eight non-profit organisations in the USA, is named after a fan favourite character

The makers of Orange is the New Black have launched a fund to support criminal-justice reform groups along with groups designed to protect immigrants’ rights, end mass incarceration and support women who have previously been incarcerated.

The Poussey Washington Fund, which will also play a role in the show’s forthcoming final season, aims to support eight non-profit organisations across the United States and is named after a fan-favourite character played by Samira Wiley. Poussey was murdered on the series by a white prison guard in the aftermath of a peaceful demonstration by prisoners.

Piper Kernan, whose memoir inspired the series and is played by Taylor Schilling on the show itself, told the Hollywood Reporter that “two of the organisations work on immigrant detention and the other six are organisations around the country that focus on women in the criminal justice system and work on a host of different things. And a number of them are led by formerly incarcerated women, which is really important to all of us who are associated with the fund.”

In a note on the fund’s CrowdRise page, a statement reads: “Poussey Washington may have been a fictional character created for television, but her life’s story and devastating fate is all too real for many women in this country.”

The fund has so far received a number of donations. “The legacy of Poussey Washington and OINB lives on,” one comment reads. “May this endeavour bring justice and peace to women and families for future generations!”