LEADING BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ORGANIZATION RESPONDS TO PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS $1.5 TRILLION COVID-19 RELIEF PROPOSAL

Justice Action Network’s Holly Harris: “It’s long past time that Republicans and Democrats put partisanship aside and act in the best interests of the American people, but no relief package is complete without emergency justice reforms.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus released a $1.5 trillion COVID-19 relief package, after months of stalemate among White House negotiators, and Senate and House leadership. Reacting to this package, Justice Action Network, the country’s largest bipartisan criminal justice reform advocacy organization, characterized the proposal as a solid start, but urged lawmakers not to forget bipartisan emergency justice reforms that would address local law enforcement needs, health and safety concerns of people in and around detention facilities, and racial disparities that have long plagued America’s justice system. Please credit the following statement to Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network

“It’s long past time that Republicans and Democrats put partisanship aside and act in the best interests of the American people, but no relief package is complete without emergency justice reforms. As lawmakers negotiate state and local relief, they should be reminded that public safety is now a top five issue with voters; leaders must ensure emergency resources go to law enforcement leaders who are doing it right—balancing public health and public safety, addressing dangerous overcrowding and protecting the vulnerable in jail and prison hot spots, and ensuring treatment and reentry resources stay afloat as addiction and mental health problems are spiking.

“And while we are encouraged to see small business support in this package, we urge lawmakers to ensure that second chance business owners are not shut out of this relief, for they are often the ones who need it the most.

“Emergency justice reforms will start the hard work of building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and addressing deep racial disparities that have led to protests and unrest in America’s streets. If Republicans and Democrats reject calls to defund the police, and also care about ensuring a justice system fair to all communities, now is their opportunity to prove it. 

“The Problem Solvers Caucus has put forth a serious, bipartisan proposal that should serve to restart negotiations between the White House and congressional leadership. To meet the moment and answer the call of a country in crisis on many fronts, we urge leaders to ensure emergency, bipartisan justice system fixes are not left on the table again.”

Justice Action Network is calling on Congress to include the following reforms in must-pass legislation:

  • Local Justice System Funding – Critical support is needed for state and local jurisdictions that safely reduce incarceration rates, which could be used for improved medical care, testing and treatment; expanded alternatives to incarceration; addiction and mental health treatment; and increased access to technology for justice system first responders. The provision is a plea from state and local criminal justice officials in more than a dozen states serving on the COVID-19 Emergency Justice Taskforce.

  • Paycheck Protection Program Second Chance Act – Introduced by Senators Portman, Cardin, Booker and Lankfordthe bipartisan proposal would remove barriers to PPP for business owners with unrelated felony records while preserving the presumption of innocence and keeping in place the five year timeframe for felony crimes related to financial fraud.

  • Elderly Release – Introduced by the bipartisan duo of Senators Durbin and Grassleythis proposal would help protect seniors – the fastest growing portion of the prison population and most vulnerable to COVID-19. We know COVID-19 hits the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions the hardest, and measures like social distancing are impossible in prisons. That’s why getting seniors who do not pose a risk to public safety into home detention must be a top priority for Congress – or more lives will be lost. 

  • Policing Reforms – The Democratic George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Republican Justice Act and the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act all represent many data-driven reforms that have bipartisan support, including no-knock warrant reform, bans on chokeholds, and other policies that could increase transparency and trust between police and the communities they serve, and help to prevent tragedies like the death of Breonna Taylor.

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