"We Have A Dream"--Finalized Draft Of Faith in Action's Focus For 2018

Updated 2/5/18. The Issues Committee's final draft of its Action Plan (below) for this year was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted by the Delegate Assembly of the 25 local congregations that comprise Faith in Action:

We have a dream of having our local jail become a model "greenhouse" for the rehabilitation and treatment of individuals awaiting their trial or completing their sentences. We believe jail budgets and programs should reflect such priorities and that families of inmates not be burdened with costs associated with the care of their loved ones.

We have a dream of reducing incarceration in our community by utilizing evidence-based alternative sanctions for low-risk offenders. We believe costly extended jail stays actually increase recidivism and reduce public safety as inmates lose positive connections to jobs and family while being exposed to a criminal environment that encourages anti-social behavior.

We have a dream of seeing our criminal justice system trend toward restorative rather than punitive responses to offenders. We believe the needs of victims should be a first priority, and that those causing others harm should be directly involved in repairing those harms and making appropriate restitution.

Therefore, we are committed to work with relevant policy makers and stakeholders to achieve the following in 2018:

1. Eliminate the financial burden of the $1 per day fee currently paid by family members of inmates at our local jail and the $3 charged for local inmates transferred to Middle River Regional Jail (as permitted, but not mandated, by VA Code Section 53.1-131.3).This is one of numerous high priority concerns expressed by family members of inmates that needs to be addressed.

2. Engage in a careful and open selection process for the hiring of a well qualified Community Justice Planner. This person would evaluate all criminal justice programs and practices, make strategic recommendations for the best allocation of resources, and coordinate the legally mandated biennial update to the Community Criminal Justice Board’s Community Corrections Plan (as stated in VA Code Section 9.1-175).

3. Establish protocols for all juvenile justice cases to be screened for a restorative justice process (see VA Code Section 16.1-278-.8). We will support transparent and community based steps in implementing restorative justice alternatives for adults and juveniles alike.