Breaking News: Local Faith In Action Selects Criminal Justice As Its Focus For 2017-2018

Prayerfully seeking liberty and justice for all.

In its Covenant Assembly Meeting last evening, delegates from the 24 congregations representing Faith in Action agreed to work with other community groups on reforms in our local criminal justice system during the upcoming year.

Two primary emphases emerged in the two-hour meeting:

1) How can we reduce incarceration numbers?

a) by increasing the use of restorative justice as an alternative to the court process where possible
b) by bail bond and other reforms to reduce the number of non-violent persons in jail who are simply awaiting trial
c) by creating a drug court with the authority to divert addicted persons to treatment rather than incarceration

2) What reforms are needed in current jail policies and procedures that affect inmates and their families?

a) reviewing policing policies and practices
b) further improving healthcare and treatment for mentally ill and addicted inmates
c) reducing the financial burden families bear for phone and commissary costs and for the $1 a day "rent" imposed by our local jail ($3 per day for local inmates held at Middle River Regional Jail).
d) adding more educational opportunities for inmates

An Issues Committee will meet at 7 pm at the Asbury United Methodist Church (second floor) Monday evening, October 9, to further develop steps Faith in Action congregations may take to help create a model criminal justice system in our community.

I will be posting updates from time to time on further developments.