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September 2008
In this Issue:
President’s Perspective
Minnesota Justice Forum
Public Defender Crisis
VISTA News
News & Notes
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C-DREAMS Photography Class
C-DREAMS is a project that supports the success of children and families impacted by incarceration. This summer, 10 youth participated in a six week photography class, which provided opportunities for youth to learn new skills, explore careers, and express themselves and their life experiences through their art. At the completion of the class, a reception featuring the work of the students was held at the Council. Click here to see a sample of the participants’ amazing work.
Thank you to the Minneapolis Department of Health & Family Support for providing funding for the project.
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Program Evaluation Services
The Council on Crime and Justice is one of Minnesota’s leading providers of effective and thorough criminal justice program evaluation. Previous clients include the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Hennepin County Courts, Minneapolis Public Schools, and the Battered Women’s Justice Project. If you would like to learn more about how the Council on Crime & Justice can help your agency with its evaluation needs, click here.
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Office Space Available!
The Council on Crime and Justice Office Building at 822 South Third Street, Minneapolis, is available for sale or lease. Contact Chris Knips (612-353-3008) for more information.
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President’s Perspective
Next Steps
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My first 90 days at the Council have been fun, exhilarating, unpredictable and scary all at the same time. I am pleased to be working with such a dedicated, wonderful staff that I am learning much from and I hope they are benefiting from my expertise as well.
I have re-organized the staff and included more people in the decision making process here at the Council. I have always been a firm believer that when you have talented people you should allow that talent to shine through and cultivate those talents for the good of the organization. We went from three Directors to seven and have created a larger talent pool. The new structure is working well but is not without growing pains. The new Directors have taken their responsibilities to heart and have jumped right in, working diligently and I might add at no additional compensation.
Since starting in June I have had the privilege to represent the Council at many events, interviews (print, radio and television), community meetings and legislative workgroups. I have been asked to be the Keynote Speaker for the Minnesota Council on Non-Profits Conference in October, moderate the Judicial Candidates Debate in September and serve on the legislative workgroup to redefine substance abuse laws, with a report due in January 2009.
I have also tried my hand at fundraising with the guidance of our Development Director, Susan Smoluchowski. Her enthusiasm and grace has made this task manageable and fun. We have called on many and hope that everyone will attend and support our Equal Justice Benefit which will concentrate on Children of Incarcerated Parents and how to better serve this very special population. You will be hearing more about the Equal Justice Benefit shortly.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who came to the Open House on July 16, 2008. We had over 250 people come out and celebrate with us and your presence was greatly appreciated. We are off to a great start and I welcome your continued support as we face a tough economic future with so much to do and so many still in need.
Pamela Alexander
The Council on Crime and Justice, in partnership with Goodwill/Easter Seals of Minnesota and 180 Degrees, Inc., is convening the Minnesota Justice Forum in order to facilitate the development of just, effective, and cost-efficient public policy related to the collateral effects of the criminal justice system and re-entry of ex-offenders.
Policy makers, government representatives, and community leaders of all stripes, both locally and nationally, have recognized the need to improve the ability of individuals with criminal records and ex-offenders to gain employment and housing and to become fully contributing members of their community. They have recognized this need based upon public safety and cost-effectiveness as well as human rights arguments. The Minnesota Legislature has created a number of committees and task forces to study this issue over the last few years. Some excellent proposals have been made as a result. Unfortunately, despite the hard work of many, little change in policy has been achieved. The 2008 Minnesota Justice Forum is being convened as a way of developing more community support and involvement in continuing the work that has been done and to create a coordinated, community-wide approach to passage of effective legislation during the 2009 legislative session.
The Forum will take place on October 6th, 2008 at the Minnesota History Center from 8:30am until noon. Representative Keith Ellison will provide an update on the policy at the national level. Those most affected by the issues will provide testimony and leaders will report on what has already been done and where there may be fertile ground for change.
If you would like more information on submitting a policy proposal, click here. If you would like to register for the Minnesota Justice Forum, click here.
The Council hopes to make the Justice Forum an annual event that will connect policy makers and community leaders around a different policy issue each year in order to facilitate the development of effective and just criminal justice policy.
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VISTA Program
Enters its 2nd Year
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For over 40 years, AmeriCorps*VISTA Members have been helping to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Today, nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps* VISTA members serve in hundreds of non-profit and public agencies throughout the country – working to promote literacy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, bridge the digital divide, or work to help successfully transition ex-offenders into their communities by building permanent infrastructure and capacities. The Council coordinates the Twin Cities’ area VISTAs working on prisoner reentry. Funding for the program is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
On August 8, 2008, we bid farewell to 14 AmeriCorps*VISTA members who successfully completed their one-year service commitment. On that same day, we welcomed 11 new AmeriCorps* VISTA members and were delighted to have three return for a second year of service. These VISTA members will be serving at the Council, Amicus, Friends for a Non-Violent World, Boys Totem Town, Employer Solutions, and the Ramsey County Correctional Facility. The VISTAs are working in the areas of Volunteer Coordination, Program Development, Workforce Development, and Research and Evaluation- with the goal of increasing Minnesota’s capacity to effectively support people returning from prisons. All are off to a great start and have really hit the ground running.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining or supporting AmeriCorps* VISTA, click here, or call 612-353-3001.
Abbie Haluska, Minnesota Prisoner Reentry AmeriCorps* VISTA Leader
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Public Defender Crisis:
Justice or Just Us?
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It is a sad day in Minnesota when many poor mothers and fathers face losing their children without representation. I cannot imagine the day when a poor mother or father must stand in Court alone and convince a Judge that they should not lose custody of their child without an attorney representing them and that day has arrived in Minnesota. The State Public Defenders Office is so under-funded at this point that they are asking the Counties to take over the expense of paying for legal representation for parents in CHIPS (Children in need of protection and services) and TPR (Termination of parental rights) cases. Since many Counties are financially strapped, many may say no. Where does that leave poor parents?
Leaving these parents unrepresented will also cause delays and unnecessary frustration for Court Personnel. What is not realized by many people is that if one part of the system breaks down, the entire system falters. The Judges and prosecutors will not be able to fill that void, we need defense attorneys to make sure that the system works and justice can prevail. We cannot seek justice if only one side is told without the benefit of the entire picture. Poor parents should not be deprived of their rights and some one to explain those rights to them. Child Protection laws are complex and apply the rules of civil procedure to the Court proceedings, most lay people do not understand how it works and need a lawyer to help them through it. Most people would employ a lawyer if facing the prospect of losing their children. We cannot deprive poor people of that right, simply because they are poor.
The Courts, prosecutors and public defenders need adequate funding to carry out the mandated functions of the Judicial Branch of Government. Do not let this sad day become a reality and deprive poor people of the right to counsel in this very important area of the law.
Pamela Alexander
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