July 3, 2008

Criminal Justice

Supports reparations for victims of crime, respect for human rights for the accused, and ultimately rehabilitation and integration of offenders and reconciliation with the community.

Senate Bill 764 is an Economic Benefit to the State

The Lifetime Ban and the Missouri Food Stamp Program (James Frost, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, January 2008)

The MASW Criminal Justice Task Force and Hunger Task Force are advocating in support of SB 764, which would modify eligibility for the Food Stamp Program.

What would passing SB 764 do?
MASW Economic Impact paper on SB 764
How to advocate for this bill

TASK FORCE GOALS FOR 2008

Support a vision of justice that advocates:

Healing - the victim, community and offender - rather than vengeance;
Community based alternatives to prison, especially for nonviolent offenders;
Increasing public safety through a more just society; and
Responses to crime which enable offenders to develop and express remorse, make restitution, take responsibility for the consequences of their acts, and integrate them successfully into society as good citizens.

GOALS:

Advocate for parole policies that acknowledge prisoners’ progress and allow more opportunities for parole of prisoners, including those with long-term sentences.
Urge all involved in the Missouri re-entry process to provide positive assistance (healthcare, help with obtaining ID’s, family assistance, classes, mentoring, treatment and expungement of records) and to diminish obstacles (fees, housing and food stamp restrictions) for offenders returning to society
Critique the effectiveness and cost of prison medical services and advocate for positive change.
Work in conjunction with the MASW hunger task force for the passage of a bill that would allow Missouri to opt out of the lifetime ban on ex-drug offenders from receiving food stamps.

View an updated list of legislation MASW is following on Criminal Justice

A list of upcoming meetings is available on the MASW Calendar page. A list of related web sites is available on the MASW Links page.

If you are interested in participating in the Criminal Justice Task Force please contact Sr. Carleen Reck at (314) 881-6023.

Staffed by Christine Woody .

Updated: 04/29/2008