Every 10 years, DC resets boundaries for Single Member Districts (SMDs).
The DC Jail was set to become its own SMD, based on months of community engagement and feedback. SMD status is crucial to ensure proper ANC representation at the jail.
On a Friday afternoon, the DC Council Chair revealed last-minute changes, which would add the luxury condos across the street to the Jail's district.
By Monday, the Chairman's office reversed their stance and announced they would allow the Jail to be its own SMD. A win for all.
Please Sign: Petition for a Safe and Free DC
Did You know...
That 2/3rds of D.C. Law Enforcement can receive firearms and arrest powers after just two weeks of training?
That D.C. residents can be denied driver license renewal for outstanding bills?
Solutions for a Safe and Free DC, is a Black-led legislative agenda to advance community safety. Started by DC Justice Lab, Harriet's Wildest Dreams, and the National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens. It calls for the passage of 18 bills (see list below)to promote a safer and more equitable D.C. Learn more and please sign.
Bringing Housing Needs
for Returning Citizens to Light
Housing is the #1 need for our returning neighbors. In our Community Conversation on Housing we learned that there is a lack of data on housing experiences for returning citizens.
We created a survey to address this gap in data in partnership with the Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth and feedback from multiple local justice organizations. Stay tuned to see what we discover.
Decarceration and Prioritizing Humane Treatment and Conditions for a New Jail
News: DC allocated funds to build a new annex at the jail, with construction slated for 2024.
Issue: The DC jail has a long-standing reputation for being neither safe, nor humane (in treatment of residents and in living conditions). This cannot continue.
NFJ, the Council for Court Excellence, and DC Justice have started an effort to bring the community together to advocate for
bold reform around what a transformed, safe, humane, and dignified facility would look like. This effort will prioritize decarceration and the values most important to those impacted by the criminal justice system
In a first meeting last week 45 people came together to start the conversation, share ideas, and offer feedback. Much more to come. Stay tuned!
Juvenile Justice and Community Investment: Community Conversation Recap
Our May Community Conversation challenged us to think differently about young people who are involved in crime.
Seema Gajwani (Office of the Attorney General for DC) noted young people age out of crime, shared how restorative justice is true accountability, and explained the drivers of violence and harmful impacts from a lack of community investment.
Jody Kent Lavy (Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth) called for age-appropriate and trauma informed solutions and investments that show young people that they matter. She pointed to the effects ofhopelessness in communities, poor living conditions, and lack of access to good education and health services.
NFJ's James Carpenter, who is a mentor to justice-involved youth, shared how his young people are exposed to death, violence, and a lack of safety in their community. He explained that investing in young people, as he does, puts them in a relationship that challenges and supports them to change, while showing care for them.
Councilmember Robert White gave a short policy talk on what a reimagined approach could look like. He called for:
expanding programs and resources that invest in young people's lives and well-being
providing more access to trades, vocational education, and good jobs
investing more in violence prevention and mentoring programs
Building more recreation centers so children can feel safe attending after-school activities in their neighborhood
Prioritizing and measuring success in these and related areas.
DCist Feature: "'More Than Our Crimes' publishes incarcerated writers and distributes a newsletter to 500 people in Federal prisons across the country." Read about incarcerated co-founder Robert Barton.
Bolts Mag: "D.C. Residents Are Voting from Prison This Week": On the importance and difficulties of civic participation at the D.C. Jail
DCist Feature: "'More Than Our Crimes' publishes incarcerated writers and distributes a newsletter to 500 people in Federal prisons across the country." 
