Criminal Justice Reform
Our Approach to Criminal Justice Reform
We The Black Voters is committed to comprehensive criminal justice reform that addresses systemic inequities, provides support for reentry, and creates pathways to economic empowerment for those affected by the criminal justice system.
Our approach focuses on reforming the current system while providing robust support for those reentering society after incarceration. We believe in second chances and the power of economic opportunity to transform lives.
Key Focus Areas
- Criminal justice system reform
- Reentry support programs
- Entrepreneurship pathways
- Legal and policy advocacy
- Juvenile record expungement
Core Reform Initiatives
Adequate Legal Representation
Establish a new system to ensure the Black community has access to quality legal representation without relying on the current pro bono or public defender systems.
Decriminalize Minor Offenses
Advocate for the decriminalization of minor, non-violent offenses that disproportionately lead to the incarceration of Black men.
Sentencing Reform
Promote sentencing reform for non-violent offenses, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punitive measures.
Reentry Support Programs
Comprehensive Reentry Services
Develop comprehensive reentry programs offering:
- Housing assistance
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse treatment
- Family reunification support
Job Training and Education
Create partnerships with educational institutions and training programs focused on high-demand skills, making them accessible to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Pathways to Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship Training
Develop or partner with programs that offer entrepreneurship training, business planning, and financial management courses tailored for individuals with criminal records.
Access to Capital
Advocate for policies that ease access to capital for formerly incarcerated individuals looking to start businesses, including grants, microloans, and venture capital opportunities specifically designated for this purpose.
Mentorship and Networking
Establish a mentorship program that connects formerly incarcerated individuals with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, providing guidance, support, and networking opportunities.
Legal and Policy Advocacy
Ban the Box
Campaign for the widespread adoption of "Ban the Box" policies, removing the requirement to disclose criminal history on job applications, thereby increasing employment opportunities.
Expungement Programs
Support the expansion of expungement and record sealing programs for eligible offenses, helping to remove barriers to employment and entrepreneurship.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Launch public awareness campaigns to combat the stigma associated with incarceration, highlighting success stories of reentry and entrepreneurship.
Policy Advocacy
Engage in policy advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels to support the enactment of laws and policies that facilitate successful reentry and economic empowerment for formerly incarcerated Black men.
Implementation Strategy
Partnerships
Collaborate with NGOs, community organizations, and business leaders to pool resources, share expertise, and amplify impact.
Pilot Programs
Start with pilot programs in communities with high rates of incarceration and reentry to refine approaches before scaling up.
Data and Research
Collect data and conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and inform policy advocacy efforts.
Community Engagement
Actively involve the community, especially those who have been incarcerated, in the development and implementation of programs.
Juvenile Record Policies
Automatic Expungement
Automatically expunge noncriminal records for minors, such as status offenses (truancy, curfew violations) after they reach adulthood or after a certain period of good behavior, typically 2-3 years.
Implementation: Develop a centralized system for tracking juvenile records with built-in triggers for automatic review and expungement upon meeting eligibility criteria.
Sealing of Petty Crime Records
Implement a policy for sealing records of minors who have committed petty crimes, contingent upon the completion of community service, rehabilitation programs, or after a period of no new offenses, usually between 3-5 years.
Implementation: Create a process for minors or their guardians to request record sealing, subject to review and approval based on established criteria.
Expungement of Non-Violent Offenses
Allow for the expungement of non-violent offenses committed by minors, such as shoplifting or vandalism, provided that the individual has shown reform through community service, restitution, or participation in educational programs.
Implementation: Establish a juvenile review board to assess expungement requests, focusing on evidence of rehabilitation and positive community involvement.
Join Our Criminal Justice Reform Movement
Together, we can create a more just and equitable criminal justice system that provides second chances and pathways to success for all members of our community.