Our Position
Support for improved criminal justice procedures and alternatives to incarceration.
The complete Criminal Justice position, background, and highlights of League action up to 2007 may be found here:
Full Statement of Where We Stand on Criminal Justice
League Activity: Letters to the Governor
Other League Activity
Programs to prevent incarceration, yet protect the public,
as well as strategies to reintegrate offenders into the community
after imprisonment were among the issues outlined by the Criminal
Justice panel at the 2007 Legislative Briefing. The occasion
laid a foundation for the League to:
- Enhance employment opportunities for persons with criminal
records. Sent Action Alerts and submitted written testimony.
- Reduce the length of parole sentences for offenders completing
a GED. PA 95-0539
- Expand Mental Health Courts. PA 95-0606
- Expand Drug School diversion programs. PA 95-0160,
yet to be funded.
- Support HB 4650, which would allow the Census Bureau to count offenders at their last known address, rather than in prison. Time for Action: Support HB 4650 - Prisoner Census Adjustment Act. Remains in committee.
Outlook - Update
The federal Second Chance Act has focused attention on the needs — health, mental health,
substance abuse, housing, education and employment — of offenders as they return to the
community. The League has been active with the Collaborative on Reentry on: alternatives to
incarceration, housing, education and employment. Recommendations are expected to be released later this year.
The League continues its work to:
- Enhance care of the mentally ill offender by supporting mental health courts.
- Monitor the effect of drug laws on minorities.
- Monitor revisions to criminal law. The League has been asked to participate in the Risks, Assets, and Needs Assessment Advisory Group.
- The Mothers in Prison, Children in Crisis Rally was not held this year.
Interested in working on this issue?
Please email issues@lwvil.org
and cite the Issue on the subject line.
Additional Resources:
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