"The tough-on-crime approach fails to keep us safe, and, equally dangerous, it requires us to accept the notion that some children are unworthy of being seen and treated as children. Violent crimes are most often linked to economic insecurity and past trauma and victimization."
Education and Housing are Critical.
NFJ Testifies at Dept of Corrections Hearing
NFJ Team Members Anthony Petty and Julie Johnson testified before the Council this week for the Department of Corrections Budget hearing. We advocated for the following:
Expand the Young Men Emerging unit in the jail and community.
Provide housing for justice-impacted young adults and returning citizens.
Provide comprehensive education and training pathways for returning citizens.
Prioritize education and training at the jail.
Be intentional to drastically rethink our approach to a new jail.
Thank you for Making the Holiday
Letter Campaign a Great Success!
Our huge (belated!) thanks to all those who wrote letters to our neighbors at the jail this holiday season. This year we sent more than 150 letters to the 1,600 men and women at the DC Jail. Letters came from neighbors, churches, a high school class, and a Girl Scout troop.
"Like a bandaid on a gunshot wound." See Time article on how the crisis at the DC Jail began decades before Jan 6th, how recent changes aren't enough, and more on Anthony Petty's quote above.
The Jail has new leadership. Is that enough to affect change?
DC Jail changes transgender housing policies. See DCist article.
NFJ advocates for voting and ANC improvements at the DC Jail.
See NFJ Team Members James Carpenter's and Laura Forsythe's testimony, which lays out what is needed to improve voting access and outcomes.
Alternatives to tough-on-crime. NFJ Team Members Anthony Petty and James Carpenter work hard with vulnerable youth through DC's Credible Messenger Program. Their work shows that there are viable alternatives to tough-on-crime policies.
