Day Twelve of Christmas--Pray For People Working Together For Shalom and Justice

I submitted the following as an Open Forum piece to the Daily News-Record:

When it comes to criminal justice, our community is learning the value of working together.

Thanks to the leadership of William Kyger, chair of our Community Criminal Justice Board, some 300 local citizens took part in a CCJB sponsored forum on the subject October 15 at JMU’s Memorial Hall. 

Presenters Kathy Rowings of the National  Association of Counties and Neal Goodloe, Criminal Justice Planner of the Jefferson Area CCJB, offered proven ways of reducing incarceration and helping offenders become productive, tax-paying citizens.  

Attendees were members of Faith in Action’s coalition of 26 local congregations, the Valley Justice Coalition, the Northeast Neighborhood Association, Virginia Organizing and many others.

As a show of community support, a peaceful walk along Liberty Street and MLK Way to Memorial Hall attracted some 150 participants. All joined together for an evening that was civil and positive, representing a community considering ways of improving itself. 

Without question, this kind of grassroots engagement is far, far better than citizen apathy and indifference. By working together we’re already making progress on many fronts.

Four years ago we had intense local conversations about a Community Justice Plan that was mandated for seeking state funds for a new jail. Moseley Architects was hired to conduct a required study, and many local folks became involved. Wynonah Hogan, a young high school student, gathered over 200 signatures in favor of finding alternatives to incarceration, and produced an impressive hour-long documentary on the issue. 

Community engagement has remained high, and response on the part of public officials has been largely gratifying. One Moseley report recommendation, Day Reporting, is already happening at Gemeinschaft Home. A Drug Court has been established, thanks to the efforts of Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst and Judge Bruce Albertson. More juvenile cases are being referred to an alternative restorative justice process.

In 2013, after a series of meetings with concerned citizens, Lacy Whitmore, then director of the Community Services Board, visited the Arlington County Jail and came back with ideas for improving inmate mental health services. With the support of the Board of Supervisors and the City Council, a full time CSB counselor position has been funded. We’ve also added an additional community-supported half-time jail chaplain, and dedicated volunteers continue to offer a variety of classes and other services. More recently, Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson and Captain Jimmy Wimer invested in electronic tablets offering a variety of educational courses to a pod of inmates on a trial basis. Time spent in learning is rewarded by limited music and other entertainment options.

Challenges remain. Our incarceration rate has increased by some 700% since 1995, while our area population has grown by only 25%, and while violent crime rates are dropping. Jail “keep fees,” an added tax of $1 a day ($3 at Middle River), add to inmate family stress. More housing and job opportunities are needed for those being released from incarceration.

But a community like ours sees more solutions than problems. Together, we can find them.