Tag: Criminal Justice

10 posts found

Newsletter article CAG March 3, 2024
Some Good News from the Capitol
In this brutal legislative session, victory doesn’t quite look the way it has in years past. Reducing the harm of any given bill through the committee and amendment process is a win. Read the good news, plus ways to challenge what the legislature is trying to do to laid off workers, elementary school students, and seniors on SNAP. More
Issues: Criminal JusticeEducationSNAPUnemployment benefits
Citizen Action Group Blog   March 17, 2023
That’s a Wrap! 2023 Leading for Justice Legislative Recap
The 2023 legislative session wrapped up last Saturday, and not a moment too soon. It can be best summarized that we had great victories for healing justice, both advancing proactive policies to reduce the footprint of the criminal legal system, and stopping a bevy of bills that would create or enhance penalties. Here's a rundown of the wins, the ones that got away, plus economic justice wins/losses more broadly, as well as some upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to take action. More
Issues: Criminal JusticeInequality
Newsletter article Gary Zuckett March 14, 2023
Gary’s Wrap-up: The Final Daze
Our state employees will be using most, if not all, of their $2,300 pay raise to pay for the increases in premiums and co-pays on their PEIA health plans... But hey, let’s give away $700 million in tax revenue and make state workers spend their raise on healthcare… More
Issues: Budget prioritiesCriminal JusticeDiscriminationFair taxationHealth InsuranceHealthcareIncarcerationMedicaid
Newsletter article   February 28, 2023
WV Poor People’s Campaign Demands Justice for West Virginians Who Died in Custody
The West Virginia Poor People's Campaign is joining Ms. Kim Burks to honor the life of her son, Quantez, and all of the lives taken senselessly at the Southern Regional Jail on Saturday, March 4th at 11am. Together we will pray and then march for his memory and for justice. More
Issues: Criminal JusticeIncarcerationJusticePoverty
From Facebook @WVCLRC - Kenneth Matthews testified about his lived experience around not being able to vote after incarceration while on parole yesterday in front of the Senate Judiciary Sub Committee B in favor of SB235, a bill that would restore voting rights to people on probation and parole. The vote on the bill was postponed until next week.
Newsletter article   February 21, 2023
Leading for Justice: Updates from the Capitol
First, good news!  HB 2471 which would reinstate the counterproductive and harmful policy of suspending drivers licenses for unpaid fines and fees has been parked (no pun intended) on the inactive house calendar. More
Issues: Civil JusticeCriminal JusticeFair CourtsPoverty
Action Alert Cassandra Wiley December 10, 2022
Leading for Justice: 2023 Criminal Law Reform Summit
You're invited to attend “Leading for Justice: Criminal Law Reform Summit” January 9th-11th in Charleston, WV.  Led by those with lived experience, this one-of-a-kind conference will be a space to reimagine the criminal legal system, and culminate in a collective day of action at the WV State Capitol during the first day of the 2023 state legislature. More
Issues: Criminal JusticeFair Courts
Newsletter article   January 31, 2022
Criminal Justice Reform Update
Thanks to those who participated in Smart Justice virtual learning series, story-telling training, and advocacy day at the Capitol during December legislative interims hosted by the WV Criminal Law Reform Coalition. With your help, Smart Justice Advocacy Day 2.22.22 will be even bigger! More
Issues: Criminal Justice
Action Alert Gary Zuckett March 5, 2021
Contact Your Legislators NOW! Tell them to Say NO to HB 2257
HB 2257 is a No Jobs/No Hope bill for those who have completed their drug offense sentences. Contact you House of Delegates member NOW to ask them to VOTE NO on HB 2257, a draconian bill that doubles down on the failed and costly war on drugs—and is up for final vote around noon. More
Issues: Civil JusticeCriminal JusticeDiscriminationFair CourtsFair taxationInequalityTaxes
Newsletter   April 8, 2020
Capital Eye Vol. 13 No. 9 – Spring 2020
In this Spring edition of the Capital Eye: Legislative Wrap Up & What's Next - Big Victories for Health Care for All WV Coalition - Attacks on the Courts Defeated; Reforms, Informed Voting in Judicial Elections Needed - Absentee Voting Available to All Due to Coronavirus Emergency - Coming Together, Building Grassroots Power - Awards Dinner Postponed but Not Our People First Agenda - 4 Things You Can Do During the Covid-19 Pandemic More
Issues: Budget prioritiesCivil JusticeCriminal JusticeEnergyFair CourtsHealthcareInequality
Press Release   March 27, 2020
Coalition Calls on Governor to Reduce Jail Populations Due to COVID-19
With the daily spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in West Virginia, public and private entities are taking significant steps to prevent a flood of cases that would overwhelm our health care system. In this context, public health experts, homelessness advocates, criminal justice leaders, and other concerned individuals call on Gov. Jim Justice to use his executive authority to minimize the harm inflicted on inmates and correctional staff in West Virginia – and, by extension, the harm inflicted on our communities. More
Issues: Criminal JusticeHealthcareInequality