UPDATE RE: the Death Penalty

The Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy has approved support for the Safe and Just Alternative coalition that advocates for abolishing the death penalty in Washington state. Although we continue to have reservations about the provision for the alternative of life without parole, we believe the death penalty itself has long been opposed by Friends. It is morally unacceptable and we need to be politically active in its abolishment. Therefore, this effort warrants our support through our collaboration with the Safe and Just Alternative coalition.

Notes from the Roundtable: a summary of Criminal Justice issues

Clerk of the Criminal Justice Working Group, Tom Ewell prepared the following summary of current criminal work under consideration by FCWPP. This summary will continue to be amended as the work evolves, but it serves as a good quick reference on the scope of opportunities out there. We welcome comments, corrections, or suggestions. Thank you again for all your support.

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Celebrate! Restorative Justice Bill is now Law

HB 1775/ Restorative Justice -

Signed by the Governor, Friday March 30!

Standing left to right: Sen. Jim Hargrove, Lonnie Johns-Brown (Crime Victim Advocates), Rep. Roger Goodman, Sam Merrill, Paul McCold, Jana McKinley, Beth Rodman, and Steven Aldrich.

On Friday, March 30 Governor Gregoire signed the Restorative Justice bill, HB 1775.  FCWPP was represented at the signing by Paul McCold, Beth Rodman, Steven Aldrich, and Sam Merrill.  Also attending - Jana McKinley (Community Youth Services), Lonnie Johns-Brown (Crime Victims Advocates), and Rep. Roger Goodman and Sen. James Hargrove. 

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Criminal Justice issues featured in March Friends Journal

Friends,

Criminal Justice issues form one of the primary focuses of FCWPP's legislative work in Washington state, based in part because of the long-standing tradition among Friends to engage in prison visitation and advocate for prison and criminal justice reform. I was very pleased, therefore, to receive this month's (March 2012) Friends Journal with its focus on crime and punishment that may be of special interest to Washington Friends because it provides excellent coverage on both our Quaker history in criminal justice reform and current practices and concerns. Above all I would like to encourage Friends to subscribe to the FJ, but it is also possible to read it on line. Articles from the March edition will be available on line in April. We'll let you know when they are posted. Please consider taking time to read these interesting and inspiring articles.

Tom Ewell, Clerk
FCWPP