We value healing and restoration as the means to safer communities. But many Arizona statutes are outdated and run afoul of these values. Our ReFraming Justice reform efforts aim to update or eliminate harmful legislation that hurts our families and communities.
This year we centered the stories of people currently incarcerated in our legislative advocacy efforts. People inside sent us their stories and calls for change.
These are their stories.
Tywania
Felony murder statutes – where defendants are liable for a death that someone else causes -are tragically unfair. These laws create more harm and destroy more lives. It’s time to repeal felony murder statutes.
Jamond
So many of those incarcerated have underlying substance abuse disorders that never get treated. Harsher sentences for people with subsequent convictions does nothing to make them clean and sober.
Karin
Socially, we remain uncomfortable talking about mental health issues. Those with who struggle with mental issues need intervention and support, and prisons do not, and cannot, provide that support.
Veronica
Our criminal punishment system does not view people as human beings with the potential to evolve and grow. This is particularly true when we sentence children as adults to extreme sentences.
Demetrius
The tragedy of felony murder statutes – where people are liable for a death they knew nothing about and caused by someone else – hurts individuals, families, and our communities. It’s time repeal felony murder statutes.
Send a postcard to your legislators!
You can help advocate for change by using our FREE postcard generator to ask law makers to support sentencing reform and repeal felony murder statutes in Arizona.