2012

September 21, 2012; Updated November, 2012 CriminalJustice Goals: Give priority to efforts to repair the harm suffered by victims over attempts to punish offenders Identify and address the causes of crime Replace costly incarceration for both juvenile and adult offenders through diversion, drug treatment, job training, and education whenever appropriate Redress the racial inequity of our current criminal justice system Support offenders’ efforts to redeem themselves and reintegrate into society Objectives: Restorative Justice Support educational programs on restorative justice statewide Support increased use of restorative justice programs as options for diversion of juvenile offenders in jurisdictions statewide Sentencing Reform and increased support for re-entry Repeal the Death Penalty Support higher education opportunities for prisoners Develop a program for earned release based on a sentence review board End the sentence of life without the possibility of parole for juveniles Reform Three Strikes law Gun Violence Explore avenues to address gun violence…

September 21, 2012; Updated November, 2012 Criminal Justice Restorative Justice: Support educational programs for and increased use of restorative justice programs as options for diversion of juvenile offenders Repeal the Death Penalty Gun Violence: Study the causes of and possible ways to reduce gun violence Legalization of Marijuana, treating its abuse as a public health issue. I-502 has passed, with support from FCWPP. Equality and Economic Justice, including Health Care Marriage Equality. R-74 has been approved, with support from FCWPP. Social Safety Net: Protect and repair what is left of the social safety net, including expanding Medicaid to restore coverage formerly provided through Basic Health Plan and Disability Lifeline Women’s Health and Family Planning: Increase state support Tax Reform: Make the state tax structure more equitable and create revenue needed to restore and retain basic services such as education and health care Local Responses to Global Challenges Oppose attempts to…

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.

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. Tom writes: The following is my attempt to provide a brief overview commentary on what I believe are the primary criminal justice issues in Washington that we are addressing – or may attempt to address – through the auspices of FCWPP and the support of Friends and our allies. These reflections are offered to help us continue to discern how best we as Quakers can offer effective, faithful, hopeful support to prison and criminal justice reform to our state. They are my personal reflections and do not reflect a seasoned…

FCWPP Clerk, Tom Ewel,l prepared the following summary of current criminal justice 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.