The Washington Post article reports the experience of DC native James Dunn to demonstrate all that is wrong with the current system of parole under the federal U.S. Probation Service (USPC). Despite being fully qualified for parole, the USPC denied him release three times. Mr. Dunn was finally able to win release under DC’s new …
Local Control of Parole
This contains posts related to the issue of the District taking over control of it’s parole system.
Local Control of Parole Document Library
Reports, Letters, and Testimony Regarding Local Control of Parole The ReThink Justice DC Coalition has been actively advocating to transfer the parole function from federal control to local District control through the work of its New Vision: Alternatives to Incarceration Committee. Along with our partners in the Reentry Task Force, we’ve made a substantial contribution …
Washington Post Op Ed – D.C. needs a local paroling authority
The Washington Post has published an Op Ed on the local control of parole issue. Titled D.C. needs a local paroling authority, the piece was written by Misty Thomas, executive director of the Council for Court Excellence. In the article, Thomas points out that “D.C. has failed to respond to Congress’s deadline and has no …
Continue reading “Washington Post Op Ed – D.C. needs a local paroling authority”
Op Ed in The DC Line calls for DC officials to take action to free DC from the US Parole Commission
The DC Line published today an Op Ed piece on the issue of the District taking over local DC control of the parole function, replacing the federal US Parole Commission. The article cites the recent petition from nearly 100 incarcerated DC residents calling for a locally appointed board that includes at least one returned citizen …
Incarcerated Citizens Weigh In on Local Control of Parole
More Than Our Crimes (link), a local group advocating for individuals convicted of violent crimes who deserve a second chance, has published a document titled Bring Control of Parole Back to D.C. The document is being submitted to the DC Council and the mayor as a petition from currently incarcerated DC residents. The petition argues …
Continue reading “Incarcerated Citizens Weigh In on Local Control of Parole”
Local Coalition’s send ‘Restoring the District’s Control over Parole’ Letter to DC Officials
The ReThink Justice DC Coalition and the DC Reentry Task Force sent a joint letter to key DC officials, including the Mayor and Council Judiciary Committee Chair, noting the lack of official action to return the parole function the District control. The letter expresses outrage over “our government’s failure to lead on this matter” adding …
Guest Editorial: Thoughts on Local Control of DC’s Parole Function
Author: Malcolm C. Young This post was summarized from communications and testimony to the DC Council on the issue of the District taking over control of the parole function, currently under federal control. I have some experience in criminal justice and was a participant in the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety’s roundtable hearings …
Continue reading “Guest Editorial: Thoughts on Local Control of DC’s Parole Function”
ReThink Justice Publishes Two Reports Answering Questions about DC Local Control of Parole
The ReThink Justice DC Coalition has been actively advocating to transfer the parole function from federal control to local District control through the work of its New Vision: Alternatives to Incarceration Committee. Last year the ReThink New Vision Committee published a report titled Establishing Principles for the Creation of a Local Paroling Authority and in …
A New Vision for a District-Controlled Parole Authority
Members of the DC Reentry Task Force and the ReThink Justice DC New Visions Committee have published a three-page summary briefing presenting a blueprint for a new, District-controlled parole authority. This vision is needed now. With the upcoming expiration of the United States Parole Commission (USPC), the District has an unprecedented opportunity to design and …
Continue reading “A New Vision for a District-Controlled Parole Authority”
Article: DC Statehood and the Criminal Legal System
Co-chair of the DC Reentry Task Force, Louis Sawyer, was featured in this Washington Post article. He spoke of how his family took 14-hour road trips to visit him in federal prison in southwestern Virginia, until he was moved to a prison too far away for them to continue their visits.