Citizen's Custody Review Board (HB 2521)

Even though the Bill was cut-off, the possibility exists for a study to support future legislation (see last focus point), perhaps involving the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Description of the bill in a nutshell: 

• Establishes a citizens' custody review board authorized to determine whether individuals, whom society no longer needs to hold in prison for public safety, should be released from custody.
• Requires the department of corrections to: (1) Provide space in which the citizens' custody review board may meet and conduct its business; and (2) Provide clerical assistance.
• Provides that, except as otherwise restricted by federal law, an offender released pursuant to the act is subject only to the conditions of release established by the citizens' custody review board. 
• Requires the state institute for public policy to conduct a study of the effect of the act on recidivism and other outcomes.

What can be done - next steps: Meet with legislators to discuss how to best structure a study, how to access needed support, who should be involved, and how best to involve them.

   

Meet with legislators to discuss how to best structure a study, how to access needed support, who should be involved, and how best to involve them.

 

Jan. 27 - 8am - Public Hearing on HB 2521 - Bringing Back Parole

ACTION ALERT!  HB 2521 takes the first steps toward bringing back parole in Washington state, and can begin to move the focus of criminal justice policy away from the knee-jerk "tougher laws, longer sentences" approach that has dominated policy for 30 years. If you can be in Olympia on Friday morning at 8:00 am, January 27, please come to Hearing Room D in the John L. O'Brien building on the Capital Campus. The House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee will be holding a public hearing on HB 2521.  Our main goal at the hearing is to demonstrate through our numbers and our testimony that there is a great deal of public support for a parole-like system, even though this bill is only a start.

Or, if you are unable to be in Olympia for the hearing, please contact your legislators expressing your support for bringing back parole, HB 2521.  It is especially important and helpful to contact representatives on the House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. They are listed here, including links to their legislative web pages where you may also send email messages.

Representative	Leg.District	Room	Phone
Hurst, Christopher (D) Chair	31	JLOB 335	(360) 786-7866
Ladenburg, Connie (D) Vice Chair	29	JLOB 309	(360) 786-7906
Pearson, Kirk (R)          Ranking Minority Member	39	LEG 122E	(360) 786-7816
Klippert, Brad (R)          Asst. Ranking Minority Member	8	JLOB 410	(360) 786-7882
Appleton, Sherry (D)	23	LEG 132F	(360) 786-7934
Armstrong, Mike (R)	12	LEG 425B	(360) 786-7832
Goodman, Roger (D)	45	JLOB 328	(360) 786-7878
Hope, Mike (R)	44	JLOB 466	(360) 786-7892
Kirby, Steve (D)	29	LEG 437B	(360) 786-7996
Moscoso, Luis (D)	1	JLOB 332	(360) 786-7900
Ross, Charles (R)	14	LEG 426A	(360) 786-7856

In general, you may call the State Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and your message will be passed on to your legislators from your address.  To find your district and legislators yourself, go to the "Find Your District" tab from http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx,  You may then email legislators using the formula firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov .

HB 2521 is sponsored by Representatives Fred Finn (35th LD), Mary Helen Roberts (21st LD), Kathy Haigh (35th LD).  If they represent you, a quick note of appreciation is always appreciated.  

A LITTLE MORE ON WHY BRINGING BACK PAROLE MAKES SENSE:  A parole system could release individual men and women who've served substantial portions of their prison terms if they can clearly demonstrate, through their behavior record and their educational achievements in prison, that they have redirected their lives. Since our state did away with parole in 1984, there is currently no system designed to get the people out of prison who no longer need to be there.  

No public good is served by keeping people locked up who don't need to be in prison. It simply wastes lives and millions of tax dollars--at a time when we desperately need the money for programs that save lives.

So please either come to Olympia on Friday or contact your legislators about the parole bill! For more information on this issue, please go to People4Parole.org, the organization led by our former policy advocate, Carol Estes, which is devoted to bringing back the parole process.

Voting Rights for Ex-Prisoners: Secretary of State Adopts FCWPP Language for Voter Affidavit

Jan. 2012: Through persistent advocacy, FCWPP has finally been instrumental in convincing the office of the Secretary of State to revise the language on the ballot-envelope affidavit that has been misleading for ex-prisoners -- adopting essentially the language that FCWPP has recommended.

Success in changing public policy often requires monitoring the implementation of legislation, as well as working to pass it in the first place.  In 2009, lobbying by FCWPP and our allied organizations helped pass into law the restoration of voting rights to ex-prisoners.  Yet until now the affidavit on the ballot envelope, which every voter must sign under penalty of perjury, continued to include the statement that “I am not ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction.”  This statement gave the misleading impression that anyone convicted of a felony could not vote, contrary to the 2009 law.

Under the recent decision from the Secretary of State the declaration will be changed – starting with the 2012 Primary -- to a simple factual statement as proposed by FCWPP: “I am not under the authority of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction.” The law states that voting rights are restored after a prisoner is no longer under of the authority of the DOC.

For over two years, FCWPP lobbied the Secretary of State’s office, pointing out the discrepancy between the law and the ballot statement and advocating the language change.  In addition to correspondence and meeting with the Assistant Director of Elections, FCWPP drafted a letter to the Secretary of State and brought the issue to the attention of Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, who obtained the signatures of twelve members of the State Legislature in addition to that of FCWPP.  It appears that our arguments carried the day ... although it took a while before our contention that the ballot declaration was misleading was recognized.

FCWPP hopes that this change in the language in the affidavit will lead to increased numbers of ex-prisoners fulfilling their right to vote as restored in the 2009 law.  This symbol of participation in society by ex-prisoners is one step toward reintegration as productive citizens.  How appropriate that this news came to us on Martin Luther King Day!

Ending the Death Penalty - Public Hearing Jan. 25, 2012

Safe and Just Alternatives, (a campaign of the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and the ACLU) is organizing a Lobby Day on January 25, the same day there is a hearing on a bill to end the death penalty in Washington State.

9 am: Gather at St. John’s Episcopal Church,
               114 20th Avenue SE, Olympia 98501
1:30 pm: Public Hearing, Senate Hearing Room, Cherberg Building
Free transportation available from downtown Seattle and downtown Tacoma.

If you can come, please register at the campaign website www.sjawa.org,  and Please wear white.
A Lobby Day Training session for this event will be at the WWFOR Office - Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70 Street, Seattle WA 98103 at 7:00pm on Wednesday January 18th (information on other training sessions is on the website www.sjawa.org).
For more information, contact Mishi Faruqee at 206.624.2184 or mishi@sjawa.org 

or Brenda Collier at 206.524.2505 or bmcbmc@earthlink.net.

Urge the Governor to sign the Medical Marijuana bill - April 20, 2011

FCWPP Alert: 
Governor Gregoire is hesitating to sign the bill to regulate medical marijuana (SB 5073), which has passed both the House and the Senate, objecting that state employees might be prosecuted by the federal government for implementing the law.

Can you let the Governor know that you support a regulatory system for producing and dispensing marijuana for medical use -- a use that is already legal in Washington State?

The Governor can be contacted by phone at 360-902-4111 (TTY for hearing impaired 800-833-6388).  Contact her by email via the site: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp.

As indicated in an earlier Alert, Washington State law now permits the medical use of marijuana, but does not provide an adequate way for it to be obtained for that purpose.  This bill fills that gap, but it does much more.

FCWPP supports the bill because it would establish the principle of regulation of marijuana and the authorizing of the infrastructure necessary to support its production and distribution.  It is a significant step in the direction of replacing prohibition of marijuana with legalization and regulation together with a public health model for its misuse.

Thanks for all your help.

Sam Merrill, Legislative Clerk
Steven Aldrich, Legislative Advocate
Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy (FCWPP)

Regulation of Marijuana for Medical use - 4/13/2011

E2SSB 5073 would establish a regulatory system for producing, processing, and dispensing cannabis (marijuana) intended for medical use.

Click to read more ...

Criminal Justice: creating alternatives - March 12, 2011

HB 1775, our Restorative Justice bill, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee Friday, March 11^th.

SSB 5073, which reduces the potential that those prescribing or selling medicinal marijuana are jailed for their efforts while also formalizing the operation of medical marijuana distribution centers to minimize the potential marijuana will be sold to individuals who do not have a medical need supporting its use, was voted out of the Senate and referred to the House Health Care Committee.

Criminal Justice: creating alternatives - 3/1/2011

HB 1775, our Restorative Justice bill, was amended on the House Floor to increase the juvenile population eligible for diversion through Restorative Justice programs and passed by a 96:1 vote. EHB 1775 has now been put on first reading in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.

The Senate companion bill, SB 5706, remains in Senate Rules Committee where it got one pull and needs one more before it will be put on the Senate Floor Calendar for a vote by the State Senate.

Action: Contact Senate Rules Committee members and request they pull SB 5706 from the green sheet to the Senate Floor Calendar for a vote in the State Senate.

SB 5236: Review of 3-strikers also received two pulls in Senate Rules and is now on the Senate Floor Calendar for a vote by the State Senate.

Action: Contact your Senators and request they vote yea to support SB 5236 when it comes up for a vote on the senate floor.

HB 1020, which reinstates 50% earned-release time for nonviolent offenders, appears to be cut off from further consideration this session.

SSB 5073, which reduces the potential that those prescribing or selling medicinal marijuana are jailed for their efforts, was voted out of the Senate Ways and Means and referred to Senate Rules where it needs two pulls.

Restorative and Criminal Justice Issues for Lobby Day - 2/21/2011

Restorative Justice.  Restorative justice brings together all the people affected by a particular offense to provide an opportunity for the offender to accept responsibility, acknowledge the harm done, and for all to come to agreement about how to best make right any wrongs.

HB 1775/SB 5706: Encouraging juvenile restorative justice programs.  The bill provides agencies the option of referring cases to restorative justice programs as part of counsel and release for juveniles with no priors and charged with non-violent offenses involving less than $50.  Extensive evaluations document the effectiveness of restorative justice programs, resulting in reduced recidivism, reduced fear and anger reported by victims, and families supported and strengthened.  Identical bills (prime sponsored by Rep. Goodman and Sen. Harper) have been approved by both House and Senate Committees.  Referred to Rules Committee in the House and likely to Senate Rules in the Senate.

Sentencing Reform.  Makes it possible for offenders to redeem themselves and reintegrate into society; eliminates death penalty.

SB 5236: Review of 3-strikers with no conviction more severe than Robbery 2 (prime sponsored by Sen. Kline).  Approved by Judiciary Committee 2/18.  Should be referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

Criminal Justice: creating alternatives - Feb 11

Abolition of Death Penalty considered

5^th District Senator Cheryl Pflug is reported to be considering whether to vote in favor of SB 5456, which replaces the death penalty with life without parole. The bill was heard Wednesday, February 9^th and is believed to have sufficient support to get voted out of committee if Senator Pflug decides to support it.

If you live in the 5^th District, we encourage you to contact Senator Pflug via email (Click here). Please write a short message explaining your opposition to the death penalty and encourage the senator—as your representative—to vote in favor of SB 5456 to replace the death penalty with life without parole.

If you know someone who lives in the 5^th District—Issaquah, Sammamish, Hobart, Maple Valley, and part of Renton—encourage that person to contact Senator Pflug in support of SB 5456.

You can also call Senator Pflug at 360-786-7608, although, email is probably more persuasive, especially as you will list an address on the email which confirms you actually do live in the 5^th District.

Our Restorative Justice bill (HB 1775) received a favorable hearing in the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee this week. FCWPP Criminal Justice Working Group member Paul McCold, PhD, testified to the benefits of restorative justice as documented by a study he did on a program in Pennsylvania and by 20 additional studies upon which the Washington Instituted of Public Policy based its positive analysis of the approach.

Jana McKinley from Thurston County Community Youth Services (CYS) testified about the benefits restorative justice has created for people in crisis with whom she works.

Representative Goodman, the prime sponsor of the house bill, gave a great overview. After the hearing, Representative Goodman stated he is optimistic about getting the bill passed in the House this session.

The senate Restorative Justice companion bill, which Senator Harper is sponsoring with Senators Nelson and Kline, is scheduled to be heard this Tuesday, February 15^th.

• There was movement to reduce the potential that those prescribing or selling medicinal marijuana are jailed for their efforts. SB 5073 was voted out of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee and referred to Ways and Means.

*******

No action this week on the following:

SB 5236: Review of 3-strikers. Although the bill was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 19^th, it has not been scheduled for a vote in that committee.

HB 1020: which reinstates 50% earned-release time for nonviolent offenders.

HB 1063: Periodic review for Juveniles sentenced to life without parole.

Criminal Justice: creating alternatives - Feb. 5

Representative Roger Goodman (District 45) submitted our Restorative Justice bill (HB 1775) and got House Early Learning & Human Services Chair, Ruth Kagi, to cosponsor. As HB 1775 must be heard and voted out of Early Learning and Human Services before February 21^st, Chair Kagi’s support is very important. Senator Nick Harper (District 38)is the prime sponsor of the Senate companion bill (SB 5706).  Senators Sharon Nelson (District 34) and Adam Kline (District 37) are co-sponsors.

These bills define the term “Restorative Justice” as “practices, policies, and programs designed to bring about acceptance of responsibility by offenders for repairing the harm caused by their offense, through bringing together the victim, the offender, their families, and relevant community members.”

 The Review of 3-strikers bill was heard last week.  There was no action this week.  The expected version of the bill would permit review for 3-strikers whose strikes did not go beyond Robbery 2 (i.e., no assaults, no sex crimes). The bill was previously heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and now needs to be scheduled for Executive Action (voted on).

 Action: Please contact committee members and ask them to support SB 5236 (the 3-strikes reform bill).

There was no action this week on HB 1020: which reinstates 50% earned-release time for nonviolent offenders. The bill was previously heard in the House Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee and now needs to be scheduled for Executive Action (voted on).

There was no action this week on HB 1063: Periodic review for Juveniles sentenced to life without parole. We remain hopeful that a hearing will be scheduled in the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

SB 5456, which replaces the death penalty with life without parole, has been scheduled for a hearing this coming Wednesday, February 9^th at 1:30 pm in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 Action: Friends, and friends of Friends, are encouraged to contact Judiciary committee members to express support for this bill, or—better yet—come to Olympia to testify.

FCWPP Update for weeks of January 17-28, 2011

Updates on the following bills: HB 1086 - the 2011 Supplementary Operating Budget;HB 1320 / SB 5238 - WA Investment Trust; HB 1020 - Resume 50% of earned release time; HB 1063 - Periodic Review of juveniles sent to life without parole; SB 5236 - Review of 3-strikers; SB 5456 - Replaces death penalty with life without parole. Watch for new bills on Restorative Justice sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman and Senator Nick Harper.

Click to read more ...

3-Strike Reform

SB 5053, prime sponsor: Senators Adam Kline

In Washington State, individuals convicted of "3 strikes" may be sentenced to life without parole.  The bill would permit 3-Strikers convicted of Class B felonies only (primarily Robbery 2 and Assault 2) -- currently serving Life Without Parole (LWOP) -- to apply for parole after serving 15 years.  It would exclude 3-Strikers convicted of crimes with deadly weapons or sexual motivation from eligibility.

Contacts are particularly important if you live in the district of one of the Senate Judiciary Committee members (Leg. Dist. in parentheses):

Adam Kline, Chair (37)
Nick Harper (38)
Cheryl Pflug (5)
Mike Carrell (28)
James Hargrove (24)
Jeanne Kohl-Welles (36)
Debbie Regala (27)
Pam Roach (31)

This small - but critical -- reform would apply to future defendants as well as an estimated 15-20 individuals currently serving LWOP for lower-seriousness crimes.

Please MAKE A DIFFERENCE by calling, emailing, or writing a Judiciary Committee member if you are a constituent, asking for support for SB 5053.

Public Policy Agenda 2011

Goals and Objectives for FCWPP's work in Criminal Justice, Local Responses to Global Challenges, and Economic Justice, including Health Care....

FCWPP Steering Committee at QM / June 12 Roundtable on Criminal Justice

This is a reminder that you are invited to the FCWPP Steering Committee meeting at Quarterly Meeting at Lazy F Camp near Ellensburg this coming Friday evening, April 23 at 7 pm. Finally, please consider holding the date and attending our second annual FCWPP Roundtable on Criminal Justice on Saturday, June 12, from 9-1 at University Friends.

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Bill Moyers, Michelle Alexander

May I recommend as strongly as possible that you take time to view the Friday, April 2, Bill Moyers Journal if you did not see it Friday evening or have not already seen it on line: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04022010/watch.html. The program features an interview with Michelle Alexander who has written a book about the "drug war" which has resulted in a huge disproportionate amount of African-American males going to prison.

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Ask the Governor to sign the Voting Rights bill

With the House concurrence today, both the Senate and the House have now passed the Voting Rights Restoration bill HB 1517 in the same form, so it goes to the Governor. Please contact Governor Chris Gregoire to say that she has your support for signing this bill into law.

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Alert: Contact your Senator to support Voting Rights Restoration without amendments

Sen. Mike Carrell will likely offer an amendment to the Voting Rights Restoration bill (HB 1517) specifying that voting rights would be revoked if an ex-prisoner failed to keep up payment for restitution. Despite all that Sen. Carrell has done in the past to help ex-prisoners rebuild their life in society, this amendment is highly undesirable.

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Please contact fence-sitting Senators about Voting Rights Restoration

HB 1517, the voting rights restoration bill -- having passed the House -- is now in the Senate. It is crucial for passage in the Senate for constituents to contact Senators whose expected vote on voting rights restoration is uncertain and seek to convince them to support HB 1517.

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Urge Senate Leadership to bring Voting Rights Restoration to a Vote

Now that HB 1517, which would restore voting rights to ex-felons who have completed all supervision under the Department of Corrections, has passed the House, it is up to the Washington State Senate to complete the job.

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