With Ferguson its apropo to remind of Senator Jim Webbs legacy, the bill he so championed, SB 306 that In 2012 I wrote a resolution for the Democratic Party that passed! About a month from writing (with editing from Senator Constance Johnson OK and 10 local elected officials endorsing) to passing at the Washington State Democratic Convention. Resolution Support US Senator Jim Webb’s National Criminal Justice Act SB306 (Submitted by 37th LD member Julia R Cummings endorsed by Louis Watanabe, 37th LD Resolution Chair) SB306 cosigned by Senator Patty Murray Resolution endorsements: Larry Gossett, Chair, King County Council; Greg Taylor, Renton City Council; Matt McCally, Former Probation Counselor - King County District Court, SW Division, Burien, Former Instructor of Criminal Justice - Crown College, Tacoma; Angela Ying, Senior Pastor Bethany United Church of Christ, John Carpenter, Chief, Tumwater Fire Dept.; speaking personally, Pat Murakami, president South East Seattle Crime Prevention Council; John Ruhland ND, and many others signatures and more pending. WHEREAS, The United States of America incarcerates five times more citizens per capita than any other nation in the world at an annual cost of 63.4 Billion. WHEREAS, currently 2.4 million citizens are behind bars and 7-10 million are unable to vote due to issues ranging from incarceration, probation, parole, and unsatisfied court fines, making them taxpayers without representation; and WHEREAS, the US population is roughly 12% African American and 14% Hispanic American, yet these populations comprise 60% of those imprisoned, and this fact has a devastatingly disproportionate impact on our minority populations; and WHEREAS, the US Dept. of Health and Human Services estimates that there are 7.4 million children with a parent under correctional supervision; and WHEREAS, in our society the families of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons are routinely subjected to discrimination in housing and employment; and WHEREAS, strong family support is a major deterrent to reoffending. Statistics show that 50% of those released will reoffend within 3 years without such support from community and family; and WHEREAS, multiple studies show stress factors for families of people who are incarcerated increase their risks for diabetes and heart disease. Current studies connect the trauma of separation from a parent with a host of mental health issues that can lead to school failure and dropout rates which are the best predictors of future criminality; and WHEREAS the lack of community support for the families of those who have successfully repaid their debts to society and are attempting to renew their lives causes undue hardship and can decrease public safety. Post-incarceration reentry programs are haphazard and often nonexistent, undermining public safety and making it extremely difficult for ex-offenders to return to society as fully, contributing members; and WHEREAS, US Senator Jim Webb’s SB306 National Criminal Justice Act is supported by 70 organizations including the National Sheriff’s Association, Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, US Conference on Mayors, United States Sentencing Commission, ACLU and NAACP; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT we, the 37th Legislative District Democrats, urge the Washington State Democratic Party (WSDCC), to endorse and advocate for passage of Senator Jim Webb’s SB306, The National Criminal Justice Act 2011, to review and evaluate the Criminal Justice System and make recommendations for reform. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Washington State Democratic Party adopt a policy of inclusion of delegates that are representative of inmate families in our democratic process and caucuses, as we do with other marginalized and disenfranchised populations. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the Washington State Democratic Party take steps to address the inequities and disparities that confront people with incarcerated family members, other marginalized and disenfranchised populations, advocating for increased and equitable opportunity and successful participation in educational, workforce, and community support systems. Introduced at the Washington State Democratic Precinct Caucuses held on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 04:34:51 +0000
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