Advocate for Change, a Guest Post by My Daughter, Alex
My daughter, Alex, a former federal prosecutor, volunteers her time to reform the criminal justice system. I asked her to contribute today in the hopes that her words will inspire others to volunteer and advocate for a more just world:
I am passionate about criminal justice reform in my home state of Georgia. My parents (hi mom!) always encouraged me to speak up when I encountered injustice and to be a passionate, informed advocate for change!
It is time to radically overhaul our criminal justice system. 1 in 13 adults in Georgia are under some sort of supervision (this includes probation, parole, prison or jail). Additionally, half of the prison population and two-thirds of the jail population have a mental illness. As a result, our criminal justice system is the country's largest mental health institution. The rise of incarceration is directly correlated to the destruction of our country's mental health resources.
Prosecutors are the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system. And many people don't realize it but sheriffs both (1) run a police force and (2) manage county jails. It is especially important to elect progressive sheriffs since they serve both functions.
This is why I volunteer with Informed Georgians for Justice (IGJ). IGJ is a non-partisan organization comprised of volunteers from across the state. The organization empowers citizens to advance criminal justice reform through informed voting in sheriff and district attorney races. Many voters do not realize the tremendous impact these elected officials have on criminal justice.
IGJ aims to educate the public about why these elections matter, and about the specific candidates’ policy positions. IGJ does not endorse any candidate.
Currently, IGJ is conducting a state-wide voter education project sponsored by the Georgia NAACP. IGJ is gathering information from candidates for the 2020 sheriff, district attorney and solicitor races through a questionnaire containing approximately 35 yes/no questions regarding implementation of specific justice reform measures.
Questionnaire responses are posted on our website, and our website is updated daily as IGJ receives additional responses. if you're in Georgia, please visit our website today to learn more about your local sheriff and district attorney races. If you are not in Georgia, please research local candidates and vote for progressive prosecutors and sheriffs!
Recommended reading and viewing:
BOOKS AND ARTICLES
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Charged by Emily Bazelon
Larry Krasner's Campaign to End Mass Incarceration
MOVIES
The Kalief Browder Story (available on Netflix)
13th (available on Netflix)
Just Mercy (available on Amazon Prime)
Shelf illustration by Jane Mount