Hello, Criminal Justice Reform Supporters!
The Humanization Project thanks everyone for all the help and support during this year’s legislative session. What mixed feelings we may have as the year ends. Such big hopes, so many valiant fights, some great wins, and a lot of the deep reform that fell just short. We know there’s some frustration but it is exactly at these times we must also maintain our focus on the progress that was made that we may stay motivated to reach the bigger goals.
We should all be proud! It is important to recognize just how much reform did get passed already. At least 19 different bills improved the system here in just the first year of the Democratic majority. Some were big, many subtle, all necessary. This after many decades where we went nowhere except backwards. Our victories this year include:
— parole eligibility for juveniles sentenced over 20 years
— parole eligibility for (nearly all) Fishback cases
— marijuana decriminalized (still needs some reform, but it is a step)
— threshold for felony larceny upped to $1000
— strip searches of minors banned at prison visitation
— better treatment for pregnant women behind bars, new mothers, training for officers
— community service acceptable to credit fines, even work behind bars
— drug offenders eligible for food stamps and TANF after release
— expansion of actual innocence writs make it easier to undo wrongful convictions
— juveniles can EARN a day off for each day served for misdemeanors
— juveniles sentenced as adults can have mandatory minimums suspended
— drivers licenses no longer suspended for unpaid fines
— improved ability for defense attorneys to question potential jurors about bias (void dire)
— no excuse absentee and other voter rights expanded
— guaranteed to get ID card before release
— studies for new guidelines for use of segregation in local jails
— studies and oversight for deaths in local jails
— fees for electronic monitors now optional, not mandatory
— jails not required to inquire about, report citizenship status
But that’s just first steps to where we’re headed! With your ongoing involvement, we will be able to make next year even more successful. We have more time to plan and we are building a bigger, stronger, louder coalition. Together we will be able to push forward transformative legislation “tabled” until next year. This is the stuff that made it further than ever before and will finally bring about fundamental changes to a just, equitable system, including:
— expanded incentives for rehabilitation (chance to EARN more good time off of
sentences)
— parole eligibility for all
— geriatric parole starting earlier on long sentences
— eliminate use of segregation entirely
— eliminate the death penalty
– repeal felony homicide – raise working wage behind bars
— make it easier to expunge long ago convictions
— better, cheaper medical behind bars
We are excited to work with you all! Everyone can be a resource. We need voices, volunteers, bodies, and ideas. Be sure to join our advocates FB group, stay updated, sign up for our newsletter, and spread the word. Remember, we are always seeking to highlight the stories of great people doing good things while adversely affected by the system. We will only get treated more humanely when we are ALL seen as human.
In Solidarity,
Taj