filed under Activism
Tomorrow: Reinvest in Justice, rally at State House
9:38PM ON
05/20/2008
BY
Dave Segal
Wednesday, May 21st 3:30
Reinvest in Justice!
In a state with a population that hovers just over 1 million people, approximately 33,000 of people are currently incarcerated, on probation or on parole. Community members have been busy collecting the names of these people on cloth ribbons. On the day of the rally thousands of ribbons, personalized with the names of these individuals, many of whom will not be able to join the rally, will be on display at the State House to visually represent the enormity of this issue.
Our state currently over utilizes prison and punishment. This has resulted in an excessive prison budget, communities that are held back instead of supported, and violations of basic human rights. By reducing the state’s prison population we can make valuable resources available for reinvestment in community based programs that can directly result in an increase in public safety.
Several pieces of legislation have been proposed this year that would help reduce the prison population and that could make RI a model for effective criminal justice policy. Come to the rally and show the legislators and the Governor that this is what the people want!
This event is being sponsored by Direct Action for Rights and Equality the Family Life Center and Miriam Hospital. For more information call DARE at 351-6960 or the FLC at 781-5808
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