[AicapAifap] Criminal Justice Reform

[Alliance of Incarcerated Canadians/Foreigners in American Prisons]

STATE ADVOCACY NEWSLETTER 
State advocates work every day to challenge mass incarceration and
racial disparity in the criminal justice system. Summer offers an
opportunity to build momentum for policy and organizing goals. Over
the next few months, many state advocates will reflect on campaign
wins and identify next steps to counter setbacks. They will plan
grassroots activities, identify campaign next steps, and engage in
political education. 
Grassroots Advocacy Planning 
Challenging mass incarceration requires a range of policy goals like
recalibrating lengthy prison terms and addressing collateral
consequences such as felony disenfranchisement. No matter the policy
priority, state advocates can work with their members and coalition
partners to plan grassroots advocacy strategies. Key elements of
effective advocacy recognize that advocacy planning starts long before
winning a reform goal. 
Assess past efforts and identify obstacles: State advocates can review
successful strategies and apply them to new initiatives or consider
how other winning efforts might assist in shaping new campaigns. 
Inventory grassroots resources: Building support by connecting with
potential coalition partners, recruiting new volunteers, and
identifying new communication tactics can help prepare state campaigns
for the next step in criminal justice reform. 
Develop a grassroots plan: Working backwards from a policy goal can
help grassroots advocates achieve benchmarks to develop timelines and
a dynamic campaign plan. Determining what has to be in place to
achieve strategic goals can help organizations and individuals with
limited capacity prioritize resources and identify next realistic
goals. 
Moving an Agenda 
Summer planning offers time for engaging with stakeholders including
organizational partners and campaign supporters. Advocates can take
the next few months to undertake landscape research, establish a
community engagement strategy, and develop a shared analysis. 
Landscape Research – Advocates working on criminal justice reform
can assess how their priority is different in the current environment.
How might the upcoming midterm election shift the policy environment?
How does the issue campaign align with the broad social justice
environment? 
Community Engagement – Informal and formal coalition support can
help amplify reform goals. Advocates can schedule one-on-one
conversations to educate potential supporters. 
Shared Analysis ­– Organizers can work with leaders and members on
a shared analysis that can help advance common goals to challenge mass
incarceration. Starting a reading group with coalition partners can
help. Books like Start Here: A Roadmap to Reduce Mass Incarceration
and Caught: The Prison State and the Lockdown of American Politics
offer pragmatic suggestions for those engaged in reform campaigns. 
State Reform News 
Louisiana – Governor John Bel Edwards signed a law restoring voting
rights five years after completion of a sentence. HB 265 goes into
effect in March of 2019. 
Michigan – State lawmakers plan for prison closure to reduce state
correctional costs. 
Missouri – Former Governor Eric Greitens signed SB 793, requiring
that youth under the age of 18 be prosecuted for most criminal
offenses in juvenile courts unless the child is certified as an adult.

Pennsylvania – State lawmakers and organizers started “Redemption
Tour” in support of SB 942. The legislation would allow an
individual sentenced to life in prison to be considered for parole
after spending 15 years in prison. 
Washington – Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 6160, a measure that
allows youth convicted in adult court to stay in the state juvenile
corrections system  until they turn 25, rather than being
transferred to a prison when they turn 21. 
Wisconsin – Coalition working to reduce prison admissions for parole
revocations and calling for closure of correctional facility. 
State advocates join Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards as he signs
legislation restoring voting rights five years after completion of a
sentence. Source: VOTE 
 Contact Nicole at nporter at sentencingproject.org 
 The Sentencing Project works for a fair and effective U.S. justice
system by promoting reforms in sentencing policy, addressing unjust
racial disparities and practices, and advocating for alternatives to
incarceration.  

Contact Us 
The Sentencing Project
1705 DeSales Street NW
8th Floor
Washington, District of Columbia 20036
202-628-0871
staff at sentencingproject.org 
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