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 … Read more
Creates the Washington investment trust as a legacy institution that amasses sufficient capital reserves to address opportunities now and in the future. Creates the Washington investment trust commission as the primary governing authority of the trust. Creates the trust transition board and the investment trust advisory board. Exempts the trust from payment of all fees … Read more
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, … Read more
1/29/2012 Friends, For many decades Friends have challenged the military budget and the related military-industrial-complex. We have made this challenge because the cost of arms development and preparation for war – often without equal emphasis on diplomacy, support for development in poor and unstable countries, and increasingly without regard for international cooperation and support for … Read more
Senate Joint Memorial 8014, requesting a reduction in federal military spending and ending the war in Afghanistan, will be heard in the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections on Thursday, February 2, at 10:00 AM in the Senate Hearing Room #2, Cherberg Building. Please click here to read an open letter from FCWPP … Read more
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 … Read more
This is a broad statement of FCWPPP’s goals and objectives. Specific action items will develop out of this agenda and will be communicated through action alerts as the legislative session progresses. Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Goals: i. Give priority to efforts to repair the harm suffered by victims over attempts to punish offenders. … Read more
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, … Read more
Specific bills to implement the priorities are indicated if available. Criminal Justice Restorative Justice (HB 1775): Support increased use of restorative justice programs as options for diversion of juvenile offenders Maintain and expand earned early release (SB 5866) and parole (HB 2521) Retain funding for alcohol and drug dependency treatment programs as alternatives to incarceration … Read more
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 … Read more