calling for systemic change · calling for systemic change advocacy statement ... child protection...
TRANSCRIPT
Calling for Systemic Change
Advocacy Statement Reducing Mass Incarceration in Responsible Ways Approved by Westminsterrsquos Session deg November 2017
Commissioned by the Social Justice Ministry Team at Westminster Presbyterian Church
Westminster Presbyterian Church deg 1200 Marquette Ave deg Minneapolis deg MN deg 55403
Task force Members
Sandy Wolfe Wood Task Force Chair
PrincipalDesigningChangeMPA
Hon Nancy E Brasel DistrictCourtJudgeHennepinCountyofMinnesota
Taylor Edward Crouch-Dodson IntakeAdministrativeOfficerMinneapolisDepartmentofCivilRightsMPP
Kelley Jepsen LutherSeminaryMDivCandidate
Bridget Letnes StatewideRecidivismReductionProjectSupervisorMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections
Bill Linder-Scholer DirectorofCommunityAffairsADCTelecommunications(ret)
Gwen Martin PatrolSergeantParamedicCottageGrovePoliceDepartmentPhD
Vivian Jenkins Nelsen SeniorFellowAugsburgCollege
Rev Douglas Mitchell Staff Liaison
AssociatePastorEmeritusWestminsterPresbyterianChurch
Table of Contents
Part I Introduction 1Part II Biblical amp Denominational Underpinnings 6
Part III Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways 9
LivabilityCrimes 9
DetentionAlternativesYouthampAdults 10
BailReform 11
CriminalizingMentalHealth 11
ProbationtoPrisonSentences 14
SentencingReformforDrugOffenses 15
SpecialtyCourts 16
RoleofthePublicDefender 17
EarlyInterventionforAt-RiskPopulations 17
ChildProtection 17
Attachment 18
EducationInitiatives 19
Part IV Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration 22
SolitaryConfinement 22
ProgrammingampEducationMinnesota 23
Post-IncarcerationHousingEmploymentandReentryProgramming 25
BantheBox 25
Expungement 26
FamilyampFaith 27
Part V Recommendations amp Conclusion 29
Bibliography 31
Appendices 38
AppendixA ExecutiveSummary 38
AppendixB Listeningsessionwithcongregation 38
AppendixC ListeningsessionwithHennepinCountyJudges 38
AppendixD Listeningsessionwithformerly-incarceratedindividuals
ampfamiliesofthoseindividuals 38
AppendixE ListeningsessionwithBetterFutures 38
AppendixF SelectionofjusticetextsfromtheBible 38
1
Part 1 Introduction
ldquoAs a society our decision to heap shame and contempt upon those who
struggle and fail in a system designed to keep them locked up and locked out
says far more about ourselves than it does about themrdquo
mdash Michelle Alexander author of The New Jim Crow
ldquoDoing justice therefore is a way to know Godrdquo
mdash The Reverend Douglas Mitchell Westminster Presbyterian Church Social Justice Advocacy Policy (May 2003)
Our CallWestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasalonghistoryofusingitsvoicetoleadinthe
publicsphereonsocialjusticeissuessuchasmarriageequalityaffordablehousingand
gunviolenceIn2003WestminsterrsquosSessionchargedtheSocialJusticeMinistryTeamto
developpolicystatementsontopicsrelatedtooppressionandjustice
Because of the call to establish shalom the Session of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church takes the position that an essential part of
our ministry in Godrsquos world is to advocate for justice in our own
communitiesmdashboth religious and civil1
AsapartofthiscallwhentheSessionadoptsapolicystatementtheFaithinAction
Councilpublicizesthereportrsquosfindingsanddevelopsrecommendationsforspecificactions
includingadvocacyeffortsanddirectoutreachopportunities
In2016theissueofmassincarcerationandcriminaljusticereformonceagainrosetothe
surfaceofpublicdebateonceagainremindingusofourobligationtouseourvoiceWest-
minsterformedtheCriminalJusticeReformTaskForce(hereafterreferredtoastheTask
Force)toexaminetheissueofcriminaljusticereformandmakebroadrecommendationsfor
apolicystatementbasedonitsfindingsThisreportisextensiveandtheTaskForcehopes
thatthecongregationwillusesomeorallofthecontentforfurtherstudyandactionin
conversationwiththeirlegislatorsandindiscussionwithinterfaithgroups
1Westminster Social Justice Advocacy Policy Statement 2003
2
Introduction to the topicTheUnitedStatesishometoonly5oftheworldrsquospopulationbut25oftheworldrsquosprisoners2
Overthepast30yearsprisonpopulationintheUnitedStateshasincreasedby3403These
statisticsandtherealitiestheyrepresenthavecreatednothingshortofalarmincitizens
ofallideologicalbeliefsInApril2016asurveyshowedthatnearly8in10Minnesotans
supportcomprehensivecriminaljusticereformHollyHarristheExecutiveDirectorofthe
USJusticeActionNetworkstatedldquoMinnesotaRepublicansandDemocratsagreethatthere
aretoomanypeopleinprisonanditistimeforsystematicsmart-on-crimereformsrdquo4As
wehaveconductedlisteningsessionswithcommunitymembersinMinnesotawehave
heardthisalarmechoedcollectively
Wehavealsoheardandstudiedtheanguishandtheimpactofracialdisparityofpeople
inprisonsMichelleAlexanderrsquosworkinthisareahashelpedtobringthetopicintothe
everydayconversationsofMinnesotansInherbookThe New Jim Crowshestates
Today there are more African-Americans under correctional controlmdash
in prison or jail on probation or parolemdashthan were enslaved in
1850 a decade before the Civil War began There are millions of
African-Americans now cycling in and out of prisons and jails or
under correctional control In major American cities today more
than half of working-age African-American men are either under
correctional control or branded felons and are thus subject to legalized
discrimination for the rest of their lives5
RaceisanundercurrentthroughouttheentiretyofourreportAsyoureadaboutinmates
withmentalillnessunevensentencingandprobationtheuseofsolitaryconfinement
thecycleofpovertythatinsuresmultiplefamilymembersacrossgenerationswillbeincar-
ceratedandtheinabilitytomakebailpleaserecognizethatifyouareAfrican-Americanthe
pictureismuchbleakerthanifyouareofthemajority-whitepopulation
ThoughMinnesotahistoricallyhashadalowprisonerpopulationourstatehasthe
fastestgrowingincarcerationrateinthenationItwasthereforeofprimaryimportance
2 Duvernay Ava Dr (2016) 13th 3 Galston William (2016) Criminal Justice Reform Issues and Options for the Next President Brookings Institute wwwbrookingseduresearchcriminal-justice-reform-issues-and-options-for-the-next-president 4 US Justice Action Network (2016) New Poll Minnesotans Overwhelmingly Support Criminal Justice Reform httpwwwjusticeactionnetworkorgnew-poll-minnesotans-overwhelmingly-support-criminal-justice-reform 5 Alexander Michelle (2010) The New Jim Crow
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
3
tomembersofourcommunitythatweworktoreduceournumbersofincarceratedindi-
vidualsHowevermembersofourcommunityalsorealizedthatsuchanundertaking
shouldnotoccurwithoutresponsibilityandawarenessoflargerpublicsafetygoalsIn
additionthecollateralconsequencesofmassincarcerationarenotinfactcollateral
thedirectimpactofincarcerationontheindividualsimprisonedandtheirfamiliesand
communityisenormousthuswehaveexaminedthecommunityimpactaswell
Process and structureAlthoughthispolicypaperdoesnotpurporttobeanacademicresearchpaperweconducted
anextensiveamountofresearchontopicsrelatedtocriminaljusticereformandreviewed
manybooksarticlesandwritingsWealsoconductedlisteningsessionswithmembersof
thecommunityincludingcongregationmembersjudgesformerlyincarceratedindividuals
andfamilymembersofthoseimpactedbyincarcerationWeencounteredthemessuch
assystemicracismandpovertydrugandalcoholaddictionhomelessnessthesignificant
presenceofmentalillnessinthesystemofjusticeandincarcerationandtheldquosiloeffectrdquothat
occurswhenmanyagenciesandnonprofitcommunitiestrytohelpbutcannotcoordinate
effortsWeweregreatlyimpactedbytheoverwhelmingfrustrationofcommunitymembers
whowantchangeyetfeelhelplesstobringaboutchangemdashdespitetheirdesiretovolunteeror
donatemoneyorresourcesInadditionwewereheartenedbydiscoveringprogramsthatare
workingandhavinganimpact
Inordertohumanizeandensureaholisticapproachtoourresearchwebelievedthatitwas
necessaryforourTaskForcetovisitafacilitythatincarceratesindividualsForsecurityreasons
wewereunabletovisitastateprisonhoweveronMarch222017wewereabletotourthe
WashingtonCountyJailinStillwaterMNThroughoutthetourwewereconfrontedwithfacts
andfiguresregardingthejailrsquos174ldquoresidentsrdquothevariousservicesandprogramsofferedatthe
jailanddetailsofthemenandwomenwhoworkatthejailasemployeesoftheWashington
CountySheriffrsquosOfficeTheseinsightsareincorporatedthroughoutthisreport
WehavedividedourreportintothefollowingsectionsPart IistheintroductionPart II
containsthebiblicalunderpinningsofourwork Part III isanin-depthlookatreducing
incarcerationPart IVcontainsspecificwaysinwhichwemightimprovethelivesofthose
impactedbyincarcerationandPart IVisasummaryofrecommendationsWeannotatethe
reportwithaseriesofAppendicesandaBibliography
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
Task force Members
Sandy Wolfe Wood Task Force Chair
PrincipalDesigningChangeMPA
Hon Nancy E Brasel DistrictCourtJudgeHennepinCountyofMinnesota
Taylor Edward Crouch-Dodson IntakeAdministrativeOfficerMinneapolisDepartmentofCivilRightsMPP
Kelley Jepsen LutherSeminaryMDivCandidate
Bridget Letnes StatewideRecidivismReductionProjectSupervisorMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections
Bill Linder-Scholer DirectorofCommunityAffairsADCTelecommunications(ret)
Gwen Martin PatrolSergeantParamedicCottageGrovePoliceDepartmentPhD
Vivian Jenkins Nelsen SeniorFellowAugsburgCollege
Rev Douglas Mitchell Staff Liaison
AssociatePastorEmeritusWestminsterPresbyterianChurch
Table of Contents
Part I Introduction 1Part II Biblical amp Denominational Underpinnings 6
Part III Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways 9
LivabilityCrimes 9
DetentionAlternativesYouthampAdults 10
BailReform 11
CriminalizingMentalHealth 11
ProbationtoPrisonSentences 14
SentencingReformforDrugOffenses 15
SpecialtyCourts 16
RoleofthePublicDefender 17
EarlyInterventionforAt-RiskPopulations 17
ChildProtection 17
Attachment 18
EducationInitiatives 19
Part IV Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration 22
SolitaryConfinement 22
ProgrammingampEducationMinnesota 23
Post-IncarcerationHousingEmploymentandReentryProgramming 25
BantheBox 25
Expungement 26
FamilyampFaith 27
Part V Recommendations amp Conclusion 29
Bibliography 31
Appendices 38
AppendixA ExecutiveSummary 38
AppendixB Listeningsessionwithcongregation 38
AppendixC ListeningsessionwithHennepinCountyJudges 38
AppendixD Listeningsessionwithformerly-incarceratedindividuals
ampfamiliesofthoseindividuals 38
AppendixE ListeningsessionwithBetterFutures 38
AppendixF SelectionofjusticetextsfromtheBible 38
1
Part 1 Introduction
ldquoAs a society our decision to heap shame and contempt upon those who
struggle and fail in a system designed to keep them locked up and locked out
says far more about ourselves than it does about themrdquo
mdash Michelle Alexander author of The New Jim Crow
ldquoDoing justice therefore is a way to know Godrdquo
mdash The Reverend Douglas Mitchell Westminster Presbyterian Church Social Justice Advocacy Policy (May 2003)
Our CallWestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasalonghistoryofusingitsvoicetoleadinthe
publicsphereonsocialjusticeissuessuchasmarriageequalityaffordablehousingand
gunviolenceIn2003WestminsterrsquosSessionchargedtheSocialJusticeMinistryTeamto
developpolicystatementsontopicsrelatedtooppressionandjustice
Because of the call to establish shalom the Session of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church takes the position that an essential part of
our ministry in Godrsquos world is to advocate for justice in our own
communitiesmdashboth religious and civil1
AsapartofthiscallwhentheSessionadoptsapolicystatementtheFaithinAction
Councilpublicizesthereportrsquosfindingsanddevelopsrecommendationsforspecificactions
includingadvocacyeffortsanddirectoutreachopportunities
In2016theissueofmassincarcerationandcriminaljusticereformonceagainrosetothe
surfaceofpublicdebateonceagainremindingusofourobligationtouseourvoiceWest-
minsterformedtheCriminalJusticeReformTaskForce(hereafterreferredtoastheTask
Force)toexaminetheissueofcriminaljusticereformandmakebroadrecommendationsfor
apolicystatementbasedonitsfindingsThisreportisextensiveandtheTaskForcehopes
thatthecongregationwillusesomeorallofthecontentforfurtherstudyandactionin
conversationwiththeirlegislatorsandindiscussionwithinterfaithgroups
1Westminster Social Justice Advocacy Policy Statement 2003
2
Introduction to the topicTheUnitedStatesishometoonly5oftheworldrsquospopulationbut25oftheworldrsquosprisoners2
Overthepast30yearsprisonpopulationintheUnitedStateshasincreasedby3403These
statisticsandtherealitiestheyrepresenthavecreatednothingshortofalarmincitizens
ofallideologicalbeliefsInApril2016asurveyshowedthatnearly8in10Minnesotans
supportcomprehensivecriminaljusticereformHollyHarristheExecutiveDirectorofthe
USJusticeActionNetworkstatedldquoMinnesotaRepublicansandDemocratsagreethatthere
aretoomanypeopleinprisonanditistimeforsystematicsmart-on-crimereformsrdquo4As
wehaveconductedlisteningsessionswithcommunitymembersinMinnesotawehave
heardthisalarmechoedcollectively
Wehavealsoheardandstudiedtheanguishandtheimpactofracialdisparityofpeople
inprisonsMichelleAlexanderrsquosworkinthisareahashelpedtobringthetopicintothe
everydayconversationsofMinnesotansInherbookThe New Jim Crowshestates
Today there are more African-Americans under correctional controlmdash
in prison or jail on probation or parolemdashthan were enslaved in
1850 a decade before the Civil War began There are millions of
African-Americans now cycling in and out of prisons and jails or
under correctional control In major American cities today more
than half of working-age African-American men are either under
correctional control or branded felons and are thus subject to legalized
discrimination for the rest of their lives5
RaceisanundercurrentthroughouttheentiretyofourreportAsyoureadaboutinmates
withmentalillnessunevensentencingandprobationtheuseofsolitaryconfinement
thecycleofpovertythatinsuresmultiplefamilymembersacrossgenerationswillbeincar-
ceratedandtheinabilitytomakebailpleaserecognizethatifyouareAfrican-Americanthe
pictureismuchbleakerthanifyouareofthemajority-whitepopulation
ThoughMinnesotahistoricallyhashadalowprisonerpopulationourstatehasthe
fastestgrowingincarcerationrateinthenationItwasthereforeofprimaryimportance
2 Duvernay Ava Dr (2016) 13th 3 Galston William (2016) Criminal Justice Reform Issues and Options for the Next President Brookings Institute wwwbrookingseduresearchcriminal-justice-reform-issues-and-options-for-the-next-president 4 US Justice Action Network (2016) New Poll Minnesotans Overwhelmingly Support Criminal Justice Reform httpwwwjusticeactionnetworkorgnew-poll-minnesotans-overwhelmingly-support-criminal-justice-reform 5 Alexander Michelle (2010) The New Jim Crow
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
3
tomembersofourcommunitythatweworktoreduceournumbersofincarceratedindi-
vidualsHowevermembersofourcommunityalsorealizedthatsuchanundertaking
shouldnotoccurwithoutresponsibilityandawarenessoflargerpublicsafetygoalsIn
additionthecollateralconsequencesofmassincarcerationarenotinfactcollateral
thedirectimpactofincarcerationontheindividualsimprisonedandtheirfamiliesand
communityisenormousthuswehaveexaminedthecommunityimpactaswell
Process and structureAlthoughthispolicypaperdoesnotpurporttobeanacademicresearchpaperweconducted
anextensiveamountofresearchontopicsrelatedtocriminaljusticereformandreviewed
manybooksarticlesandwritingsWealsoconductedlisteningsessionswithmembersof
thecommunityincludingcongregationmembersjudgesformerlyincarceratedindividuals
andfamilymembersofthoseimpactedbyincarcerationWeencounteredthemessuch
assystemicracismandpovertydrugandalcoholaddictionhomelessnessthesignificant
presenceofmentalillnessinthesystemofjusticeandincarcerationandtheldquosiloeffectrdquothat
occurswhenmanyagenciesandnonprofitcommunitiestrytohelpbutcannotcoordinate
effortsWeweregreatlyimpactedbytheoverwhelmingfrustrationofcommunitymembers
whowantchangeyetfeelhelplesstobringaboutchangemdashdespitetheirdesiretovolunteeror
donatemoneyorresourcesInadditionwewereheartenedbydiscoveringprogramsthatare
workingandhavinganimpact
Inordertohumanizeandensureaholisticapproachtoourresearchwebelievedthatitwas
necessaryforourTaskForcetovisitafacilitythatincarceratesindividualsForsecurityreasons
wewereunabletovisitastateprisonhoweveronMarch222017wewereabletotourthe
WashingtonCountyJailinStillwaterMNThroughoutthetourwewereconfrontedwithfacts
andfiguresregardingthejailrsquos174ldquoresidentsrdquothevariousservicesandprogramsofferedatthe
jailanddetailsofthemenandwomenwhoworkatthejailasemployeesoftheWashington
CountySheriffrsquosOfficeTheseinsightsareincorporatedthroughoutthisreport
WehavedividedourreportintothefollowingsectionsPart IistheintroductionPart II
containsthebiblicalunderpinningsofourwork Part III isanin-depthlookatreducing
incarcerationPart IVcontainsspecificwaysinwhichwemightimprovethelivesofthose
impactedbyincarcerationandPart IVisasummaryofrecommendationsWeannotatethe
reportwithaseriesofAppendicesandaBibliography
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
Table of Contents
Part I Introduction 1Part II Biblical amp Denominational Underpinnings 6
Part III Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways 9
LivabilityCrimes 9
DetentionAlternativesYouthampAdults 10
BailReform 11
CriminalizingMentalHealth 11
ProbationtoPrisonSentences 14
SentencingReformforDrugOffenses 15
SpecialtyCourts 16
RoleofthePublicDefender 17
EarlyInterventionforAt-RiskPopulations 17
ChildProtection 17
Attachment 18
EducationInitiatives 19
Part IV Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration 22
SolitaryConfinement 22
ProgrammingampEducationMinnesota 23
Post-IncarcerationHousingEmploymentandReentryProgramming 25
BantheBox 25
Expungement 26
FamilyampFaith 27
Part V Recommendations amp Conclusion 29
Bibliography 31
Appendices 38
AppendixA ExecutiveSummary 38
AppendixB Listeningsessionwithcongregation 38
AppendixC ListeningsessionwithHennepinCountyJudges 38
AppendixD Listeningsessionwithformerly-incarceratedindividuals
ampfamiliesofthoseindividuals 38
AppendixE ListeningsessionwithBetterFutures 38
AppendixF SelectionofjusticetextsfromtheBible 38
1
Part 1 Introduction
ldquoAs a society our decision to heap shame and contempt upon those who
struggle and fail in a system designed to keep them locked up and locked out
says far more about ourselves than it does about themrdquo
mdash Michelle Alexander author of The New Jim Crow
ldquoDoing justice therefore is a way to know Godrdquo
mdash The Reverend Douglas Mitchell Westminster Presbyterian Church Social Justice Advocacy Policy (May 2003)
Our CallWestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasalonghistoryofusingitsvoicetoleadinthe
publicsphereonsocialjusticeissuessuchasmarriageequalityaffordablehousingand
gunviolenceIn2003WestminsterrsquosSessionchargedtheSocialJusticeMinistryTeamto
developpolicystatementsontopicsrelatedtooppressionandjustice
Because of the call to establish shalom the Session of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church takes the position that an essential part of
our ministry in Godrsquos world is to advocate for justice in our own
communitiesmdashboth religious and civil1
AsapartofthiscallwhentheSessionadoptsapolicystatementtheFaithinAction
Councilpublicizesthereportrsquosfindingsanddevelopsrecommendationsforspecificactions
includingadvocacyeffortsanddirectoutreachopportunities
In2016theissueofmassincarcerationandcriminaljusticereformonceagainrosetothe
surfaceofpublicdebateonceagainremindingusofourobligationtouseourvoiceWest-
minsterformedtheCriminalJusticeReformTaskForce(hereafterreferredtoastheTask
Force)toexaminetheissueofcriminaljusticereformandmakebroadrecommendationsfor
apolicystatementbasedonitsfindingsThisreportisextensiveandtheTaskForcehopes
thatthecongregationwillusesomeorallofthecontentforfurtherstudyandactionin
conversationwiththeirlegislatorsandindiscussionwithinterfaithgroups
1Westminster Social Justice Advocacy Policy Statement 2003
2
Introduction to the topicTheUnitedStatesishometoonly5oftheworldrsquospopulationbut25oftheworldrsquosprisoners2
Overthepast30yearsprisonpopulationintheUnitedStateshasincreasedby3403These
statisticsandtherealitiestheyrepresenthavecreatednothingshortofalarmincitizens
ofallideologicalbeliefsInApril2016asurveyshowedthatnearly8in10Minnesotans
supportcomprehensivecriminaljusticereformHollyHarristheExecutiveDirectorofthe
USJusticeActionNetworkstatedldquoMinnesotaRepublicansandDemocratsagreethatthere
aretoomanypeopleinprisonanditistimeforsystematicsmart-on-crimereformsrdquo4As
wehaveconductedlisteningsessionswithcommunitymembersinMinnesotawehave
heardthisalarmechoedcollectively
Wehavealsoheardandstudiedtheanguishandtheimpactofracialdisparityofpeople
inprisonsMichelleAlexanderrsquosworkinthisareahashelpedtobringthetopicintothe
everydayconversationsofMinnesotansInherbookThe New Jim Crowshestates
Today there are more African-Americans under correctional controlmdash
in prison or jail on probation or parolemdashthan were enslaved in
1850 a decade before the Civil War began There are millions of
African-Americans now cycling in and out of prisons and jails or
under correctional control In major American cities today more
than half of working-age African-American men are either under
correctional control or branded felons and are thus subject to legalized
discrimination for the rest of their lives5
RaceisanundercurrentthroughouttheentiretyofourreportAsyoureadaboutinmates
withmentalillnessunevensentencingandprobationtheuseofsolitaryconfinement
thecycleofpovertythatinsuresmultiplefamilymembersacrossgenerationswillbeincar-
ceratedandtheinabilitytomakebailpleaserecognizethatifyouareAfrican-Americanthe
pictureismuchbleakerthanifyouareofthemajority-whitepopulation
ThoughMinnesotahistoricallyhashadalowprisonerpopulationourstatehasthe
fastestgrowingincarcerationrateinthenationItwasthereforeofprimaryimportance
2 Duvernay Ava Dr (2016) 13th 3 Galston William (2016) Criminal Justice Reform Issues and Options for the Next President Brookings Institute wwwbrookingseduresearchcriminal-justice-reform-issues-and-options-for-the-next-president 4 US Justice Action Network (2016) New Poll Minnesotans Overwhelmingly Support Criminal Justice Reform httpwwwjusticeactionnetworkorgnew-poll-minnesotans-overwhelmingly-support-criminal-justice-reform 5 Alexander Michelle (2010) The New Jim Crow
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
3
tomembersofourcommunitythatweworktoreduceournumbersofincarceratedindi-
vidualsHowevermembersofourcommunityalsorealizedthatsuchanundertaking
shouldnotoccurwithoutresponsibilityandawarenessoflargerpublicsafetygoalsIn
additionthecollateralconsequencesofmassincarcerationarenotinfactcollateral
thedirectimpactofincarcerationontheindividualsimprisonedandtheirfamiliesand
communityisenormousthuswehaveexaminedthecommunityimpactaswell
Process and structureAlthoughthispolicypaperdoesnotpurporttobeanacademicresearchpaperweconducted
anextensiveamountofresearchontopicsrelatedtocriminaljusticereformandreviewed
manybooksarticlesandwritingsWealsoconductedlisteningsessionswithmembersof
thecommunityincludingcongregationmembersjudgesformerlyincarceratedindividuals
andfamilymembersofthoseimpactedbyincarcerationWeencounteredthemessuch
assystemicracismandpovertydrugandalcoholaddictionhomelessnessthesignificant
presenceofmentalillnessinthesystemofjusticeandincarcerationandtheldquosiloeffectrdquothat
occurswhenmanyagenciesandnonprofitcommunitiestrytohelpbutcannotcoordinate
effortsWeweregreatlyimpactedbytheoverwhelmingfrustrationofcommunitymembers
whowantchangeyetfeelhelplesstobringaboutchangemdashdespitetheirdesiretovolunteeror
donatemoneyorresourcesInadditionwewereheartenedbydiscoveringprogramsthatare
workingandhavinganimpact
Inordertohumanizeandensureaholisticapproachtoourresearchwebelievedthatitwas
necessaryforourTaskForcetovisitafacilitythatincarceratesindividualsForsecurityreasons
wewereunabletovisitastateprisonhoweveronMarch222017wewereabletotourthe
WashingtonCountyJailinStillwaterMNThroughoutthetourwewereconfrontedwithfacts
andfiguresregardingthejailrsquos174ldquoresidentsrdquothevariousservicesandprogramsofferedatthe
jailanddetailsofthemenandwomenwhoworkatthejailasemployeesoftheWashington
CountySheriffrsquosOfficeTheseinsightsareincorporatedthroughoutthisreport
WehavedividedourreportintothefollowingsectionsPart IistheintroductionPart II
containsthebiblicalunderpinningsofourwork Part III isanin-depthlookatreducing
incarcerationPart IVcontainsspecificwaysinwhichwemightimprovethelivesofthose
impactedbyincarcerationandPart IVisasummaryofrecommendationsWeannotatethe
reportwithaseriesofAppendicesandaBibliography
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
1
Part 1 Introduction
ldquoAs a society our decision to heap shame and contempt upon those who
struggle and fail in a system designed to keep them locked up and locked out
says far more about ourselves than it does about themrdquo
mdash Michelle Alexander author of The New Jim Crow
ldquoDoing justice therefore is a way to know Godrdquo
mdash The Reverend Douglas Mitchell Westminster Presbyterian Church Social Justice Advocacy Policy (May 2003)
Our CallWestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasalonghistoryofusingitsvoicetoleadinthe
publicsphereonsocialjusticeissuessuchasmarriageequalityaffordablehousingand
gunviolenceIn2003WestminsterrsquosSessionchargedtheSocialJusticeMinistryTeamto
developpolicystatementsontopicsrelatedtooppressionandjustice
Because of the call to establish shalom the Session of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church takes the position that an essential part of
our ministry in Godrsquos world is to advocate for justice in our own
communitiesmdashboth religious and civil1
AsapartofthiscallwhentheSessionadoptsapolicystatementtheFaithinAction
Councilpublicizesthereportrsquosfindingsanddevelopsrecommendationsforspecificactions
includingadvocacyeffortsanddirectoutreachopportunities
In2016theissueofmassincarcerationandcriminaljusticereformonceagainrosetothe
surfaceofpublicdebateonceagainremindingusofourobligationtouseourvoiceWest-
minsterformedtheCriminalJusticeReformTaskForce(hereafterreferredtoastheTask
Force)toexaminetheissueofcriminaljusticereformandmakebroadrecommendationsfor
apolicystatementbasedonitsfindingsThisreportisextensiveandtheTaskForcehopes
thatthecongregationwillusesomeorallofthecontentforfurtherstudyandactionin
conversationwiththeirlegislatorsandindiscussionwithinterfaithgroups
1Westminster Social Justice Advocacy Policy Statement 2003
2
Introduction to the topicTheUnitedStatesishometoonly5oftheworldrsquospopulationbut25oftheworldrsquosprisoners2
Overthepast30yearsprisonpopulationintheUnitedStateshasincreasedby3403These
statisticsandtherealitiestheyrepresenthavecreatednothingshortofalarmincitizens
ofallideologicalbeliefsInApril2016asurveyshowedthatnearly8in10Minnesotans
supportcomprehensivecriminaljusticereformHollyHarristheExecutiveDirectorofthe
USJusticeActionNetworkstatedldquoMinnesotaRepublicansandDemocratsagreethatthere
aretoomanypeopleinprisonanditistimeforsystematicsmart-on-crimereformsrdquo4As
wehaveconductedlisteningsessionswithcommunitymembersinMinnesotawehave
heardthisalarmechoedcollectively
Wehavealsoheardandstudiedtheanguishandtheimpactofracialdisparityofpeople
inprisonsMichelleAlexanderrsquosworkinthisareahashelpedtobringthetopicintothe
everydayconversationsofMinnesotansInherbookThe New Jim Crowshestates
Today there are more African-Americans under correctional controlmdash
in prison or jail on probation or parolemdashthan were enslaved in
1850 a decade before the Civil War began There are millions of
African-Americans now cycling in and out of prisons and jails or
under correctional control In major American cities today more
than half of working-age African-American men are either under
correctional control or branded felons and are thus subject to legalized
discrimination for the rest of their lives5
RaceisanundercurrentthroughouttheentiretyofourreportAsyoureadaboutinmates
withmentalillnessunevensentencingandprobationtheuseofsolitaryconfinement
thecycleofpovertythatinsuresmultiplefamilymembersacrossgenerationswillbeincar-
ceratedandtheinabilitytomakebailpleaserecognizethatifyouareAfrican-Americanthe
pictureismuchbleakerthanifyouareofthemajority-whitepopulation
ThoughMinnesotahistoricallyhashadalowprisonerpopulationourstatehasthe
fastestgrowingincarcerationrateinthenationItwasthereforeofprimaryimportance
2 Duvernay Ava Dr (2016) 13th 3 Galston William (2016) Criminal Justice Reform Issues and Options for the Next President Brookings Institute wwwbrookingseduresearchcriminal-justice-reform-issues-and-options-for-the-next-president 4 US Justice Action Network (2016) New Poll Minnesotans Overwhelmingly Support Criminal Justice Reform httpwwwjusticeactionnetworkorgnew-poll-minnesotans-overwhelmingly-support-criminal-justice-reform 5 Alexander Michelle (2010) The New Jim Crow
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
3
tomembersofourcommunitythatweworktoreduceournumbersofincarceratedindi-
vidualsHowevermembersofourcommunityalsorealizedthatsuchanundertaking
shouldnotoccurwithoutresponsibilityandawarenessoflargerpublicsafetygoalsIn
additionthecollateralconsequencesofmassincarcerationarenotinfactcollateral
thedirectimpactofincarcerationontheindividualsimprisonedandtheirfamiliesand
communityisenormousthuswehaveexaminedthecommunityimpactaswell
Process and structureAlthoughthispolicypaperdoesnotpurporttobeanacademicresearchpaperweconducted
anextensiveamountofresearchontopicsrelatedtocriminaljusticereformandreviewed
manybooksarticlesandwritingsWealsoconductedlisteningsessionswithmembersof
thecommunityincludingcongregationmembersjudgesformerlyincarceratedindividuals
andfamilymembersofthoseimpactedbyincarcerationWeencounteredthemessuch
assystemicracismandpovertydrugandalcoholaddictionhomelessnessthesignificant
presenceofmentalillnessinthesystemofjusticeandincarcerationandtheldquosiloeffectrdquothat
occurswhenmanyagenciesandnonprofitcommunitiestrytohelpbutcannotcoordinate
effortsWeweregreatlyimpactedbytheoverwhelmingfrustrationofcommunitymembers
whowantchangeyetfeelhelplesstobringaboutchangemdashdespitetheirdesiretovolunteeror
donatemoneyorresourcesInadditionwewereheartenedbydiscoveringprogramsthatare
workingandhavinganimpact
Inordertohumanizeandensureaholisticapproachtoourresearchwebelievedthatitwas
necessaryforourTaskForcetovisitafacilitythatincarceratesindividualsForsecurityreasons
wewereunabletovisitastateprisonhoweveronMarch222017wewereabletotourthe
WashingtonCountyJailinStillwaterMNThroughoutthetourwewereconfrontedwithfacts
andfiguresregardingthejailrsquos174ldquoresidentsrdquothevariousservicesandprogramsofferedatthe
jailanddetailsofthemenandwomenwhoworkatthejailasemployeesoftheWashington
CountySheriffrsquosOfficeTheseinsightsareincorporatedthroughoutthisreport
WehavedividedourreportintothefollowingsectionsPart IistheintroductionPart II
containsthebiblicalunderpinningsofourwork Part III isanin-depthlookatreducing
incarcerationPart IVcontainsspecificwaysinwhichwemightimprovethelivesofthose
impactedbyincarcerationandPart IVisasummaryofrecommendationsWeannotatethe
reportwithaseriesofAppendicesandaBibliography
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
2
Introduction to the topicTheUnitedStatesishometoonly5oftheworldrsquospopulationbut25oftheworldrsquosprisoners2
Overthepast30yearsprisonpopulationintheUnitedStateshasincreasedby3403These
statisticsandtherealitiestheyrepresenthavecreatednothingshortofalarmincitizens
ofallideologicalbeliefsInApril2016asurveyshowedthatnearly8in10Minnesotans
supportcomprehensivecriminaljusticereformHollyHarristheExecutiveDirectorofthe
USJusticeActionNetworkstatedldquoMinnesotaRepublicansandDemocratsagreethatthere
aretoomanypeopleinprisonanditistimeforsystematicsmart-on-crimereformsrdquo4As
wehaveconductedlisteningsessionswithcommunitymembersinMinnesotawehave
heardthisalarmechoedcollectively
Wehavealsoheardandstudiedtheanguishandtheimpactofracialdisparityofpeople
inprisonsMichelleAlexanderrsquosworkinthisareahashelpedtobringthetopicintothe
everydayconversationsofMinnesotansInherbookThe New Jim Crowshestates
Today there are more African-Americans under correctional controlmdash
in prison or jail on probation or parolemdashthan were enslaved in
1850 a decade before the Civil War began There are millions of
African-Americans now cycling in and out of prisons and jails or
under correctional control In major American cities today more
than half of working-age African-American men are either under
correctional control or branded felons and are thus subject to legalized
discrimination for the rest of their lives5
RaceisanundercurrentthroughouttheentiretyofourreportAsyoureadaboutinmates
withmentalillnessunevensentencingandprobationtheuseofsolitaryconfinement
thecycleofpovertythatinsuresmultiplefamilymembersacrossgenerationswillbeincar-
ceratedandtheinabilitytomakebailpleaserecognizethatifyouareAfrican-Americanthe
pictureismuchbleakerthanifyouareofthemajority-whitepopulation
ThoughMinnesotahistoricallyhashadalowprisonerpopulationourstatehasthe
fastestgrowingincarcerationrateinthenationItwasthereforeofprimaryimportance
2 Duvernay Ava Dr (2016) 13th 3 Galston William (2016) Criminal Justice Reform Issues and Options for the Next President Brookings Institute wwwbrookingseduresearchcriminal-justice-reform-issues-and-options-for-the-next-president 4 US Justice Action Network (2016) New Poll Minnesotans Overwhelmingly Support Criminal Justice Reform httpwwwjusticeactionnetworkorgnew-poll-minnesotans-overwhelmingly-support-criminal-justice-reform 5 Alexander Michelle (2010) The New Jim Crow
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
3
tomembersofourcommunitythatweworktoreduceournumbersofincarceratedindi-
vidualsHowevermembersofourcommunityalsorealizedthatsuchanundertaking
shouldnotoccurwithoutresponsibilityandawarenessoflargerpublicsafetygoalsIn
additionthecollateralconsequencesofmassincarcerationarenotinfactcollateral
thedirectimpactofincarcerationontheindividualsimprisonedandtheirfamiliesand
communityisenormousthuswehaveexaminedthecommunityimpactaswell
Process and structureAlthoughthispolicypaperdoesnotpurporttobeanacademicresearchpaperweconducted
anextensiveamountofresearchontopicsrelatedtocriminaljusticereformandreviewed
manybooksarticlesandwritingsWealsoconductedlisteningsessionswithmembersof
thecommunityincludingcongregationmembersjudgesformerlyincarceratedindividuals
andfamilymembersofthoseimpactedbyincarcerationWeencounteredthemessuch
assystemicracismandpovertydrugandalcoholaddictionhomelessnessthesignificant
presenceofmentalillnessinthesystemofjusticeandincarcerationandtheldquosiloeffectrdquothat
occurswhenmanyagenciesandnonprofitcommunitiestrytohelpbutcannotcoordinate
effortsWeweregreatlyimpactedbytheoverwhelmingfrustrationofcommunitymembers
whowantchangeyetfeelhelplesstobringaboutchangemdashdespitetheirdesiretovolunteeror
donatemoneyorresourcesInadditionwewereheartenedbydiscoveringprogramsthatare
workingandhavinganimpact
Inordertohumanizeandensureaholisticapproachtoourresearchwebelievedthatitwas
necessaryforourTaskForcetovisitafacilitythatincarceratesindividualsForsecurityreasons
wewereunabletovisitastateprisonhoweveronMarch222017wewereabletotourthe
WashingtonCountyJailinStillwaterMNThroughoutthetourwewereconfrontedwithfacts
andfiguresregardingthejailrsquos174ldquoresidentsrdquothevariousservicesandprogramsofferedatthe
jailanddetailsofthemenandwomenwhoworkatthejailasemployeesoftheWashington
CountySheriffrsquosOfficeTheseinsightsareincorporatedthroughoutthisreport
WehavedividedourreportintothefollowingsectionsPart IistheintroductionPart II
containsthebiblicalunderpinningsofourwork Part III isanin-depthlookatreducing
incarcerationPart IVcontainsspecificwaysinwhichwemightimprovethelivesofthose
impactedbyincarcerationandPart IVisasummaryofrecommendationsWeannotatethe
reportwithaseriesofAppendicesandaBibliography
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
3
tomembersofourcommunitythatweworktoreduceournumbersofincarceratedindi-
vidualsHowevermembersofourcommunityalsorealizedthatsuchanundertaking
shouldnotoccurwithoutresponsibilityandawarenessoflargerpublicsafetygoalsIn
additionthecollateralconsequencesofmassincarcerationarenotinfactcollateral
thedirectimpactofincarcerationontheindividualsimprisonedandtheirfamiliesand
communityisenormousthuswehaveexaminedthecommunityimpactaswell
Process and structureAlthoughthispolicypaperdoesnotpurporttobeanacademicresearchpaperweconducted
anextensiveamountofresearchontopicsrelatedtocriminaljusticereformandreviewed
manybooksarticlesandwritingsWealsoconductedlisteningsessionswithmembersof
thecommunityincludingcongregationmembersjudgesformerlyincarceratedindividuals
andfamilymembersofthoseimpactedbyincarcerationWeencounteredthemessuch
assystemicracismandpovertydrugandalcoholaddictionhomelessnessthesignificant
presenceofmentalillnessinthesystemofjusticeandincarcerationandtheldquosiloeffectrdquothat
occurswhenmanyagenciesandnonprofitcommunitiestrytohelpbutcannotcoordinate
effortsWeweregreatlyimpactedbytheoverwhelmingfrustrationofcommunitymembers
whowantchangeyetfeelhelplesstobringaboutchangemdashdespitetheirdesiretovolunteeror
donatemoneyorresourcesInadditionwewereheartenedbydiscoveringprogramsthatare
workingandhavinganimpact
Inordertohumanizeandensureaholisticapproachtoourresearchwebelievedthatitwas
necessaryforourTaskForcetovisitafacilitythatincarceratesindividualsForsecurityreasons
wewereunabletovisitastateprisonhoweveronMarch222017wewereabletotourthe
WashingtonCountyJailinStillwaterMNThroughoutthetourwewereconfrontedwithfacts
andfiguresregardingthejailrsquos174ldquoresidentsrdquothevariousservicesandprogramsofferedatthe
jailanddetailsofthemenandwomenwhoworkatthejailasemployeesoftheWashington
CountySheriffrsquosOfficeTheseinsightsareincorporatedthroughoutthisreport
WehavedividedourreportintothefollowingsectionsPart IistheintroductionPart II
containsthebiblicalunderpinningsofourwork Part III isanin-depthlookatreducing
incarcerationPart IVcontainsspecificwaysinwhichwemightimprovethelivesofthose
impactedbyincarcerationandPart IVisasummaryofrecommendationsWeannotatethe
reportwithaseriesofAppendicesandaBibliography
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Language MattersWewouldliketosaysomethingaboutframingLanguageisapowerfuldeterminantinour
abilitytodiscernanddescribepersonalvaluesandsocialrealitiesThelanguageofgenderfor
examplehasrecentlyundergonesignificantchangesthatdirectlyaffecthowwecommunicate
witheachotheraboutgenderorientationandsexualidentityInmanyimportantwaysthe
wordsweusetotalkaboutgenderhavebecomemoreinclusiveandlessdisparaging
Inasimilarmannerthelanguageweusetocommunicateaboutpolicyandpracticeinthe
criminaljusticesystemhasbeenchangingmdashalsoforthepurposeofbeinglessdisparaging
andmorehumaneAsmembersoftheTaskForcewersquoveintentionallysoughttounderstand
thesechangesinwordsandtermsandtoincorporatethechangeswhereappropriateIn
somecasesthechangesareclearandwellestablishedinothersthechangesareunderway
butlackwidespreaduseorconsensus
Webelievethissensitivitytolanguageisappropriatetoourworkoncriminaljustice
systemreformgiventhebiblicalunderpinningstoourworkandourpreferenceforan
approachtoreformthatprioritizesrehabilitationoverpunishment(restorativejustice
ratherthanretributive)
AsacaseinpointwenotedthatinrecentyearstheUSDepartmentofJusticehassought
toavoiduseoftermssuchasldquofelonrdquoandldquoconvictrdquothatmayhindertheprogressofindi-
vidualswhoseektore-entersocietysuccessfullyafterthecompletionoftheirprison
sentenceAmongprofessionalsworkinginthecriminaljusticesystemhereinMinnesota
weheardintentionaluseofwordslikeldquoyouthrdquoorldquoyouthfulrdquoinplaceofthemorepejorative
ldquojuvenilerdquo(asinldquoyouthcourtrdquoratherthanldquojuveecourtrdquo)BetterFuturesMinnesotaoneofthe
partnerorganizationsintheGreatRiverLandingpartnership(anaffordablehousingprogram
thatWestminsterhasinvestedin)referstothemeninitsprogrammingasindividualswho
haveexperiencedhighbarrierstohousingandemploymentasaresultoftheirhistoryof
incarcerationratherthansettlingforthemorenegativelabelldquoex-felonrdquoorldquofelonrdquoOurTask
Forcebeganitsworkwithanunderlyingassumptionofequalitychoosingourwordsas
carefullyaspossibleinthebeliefthatldquojustice is what love looks like in publicrdquo6
Summary of recommendationsWeendourreportwithfivedistinctrecommendationsthatemergedfrommonthsofstudy
prayeranddiscernmentTheyare(1)legislationthatbetterintegratessupportiveservices
6 Cornel West as quoted by Tavis Smiley at the Westminster Town Hall Forum September 2015
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
5
andreducesbureaucracyinthecriminaljusticesystem(2)resourcestosupportprograms
thatspecificallyaddressissueslikehousingeducationandjobinitiativesforpost-incar-
ceratedindividuals(3)advocacyeffortstoencouragerobustgovernmentfundingofthe
publicdefendertreatmentcourtsandeffortsbysocialworkerstoassistincarceratedindi-
viduals(4)advocacyforsentencingreformand(5)engagementwiththelargerissuesof
povertyandchildrenimpactedbyparentsinthecriminaljusticesystem
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
6
Our work on unpacking the complex nature of the criminal justice system was
guided by the biblical traditions of justice and compassion We see justice right
at the very beginning
ThecreationstoryinGenesis1statesthateveryhumanbeingiscreatedintheimage
ofGodThisdivineimageplaceseachpersoninarelationshiptoGodandtoeachother
inwhicheachpersonisofequalworthThereforeeachpersonistobetreatedjustlyto
protectandpreservethatworth
Thisunderlyingassumptionofequalityleadsustoseehowaspractitionerswecanlook
uponourChristiantheologytounderstandjusticeWithinthescripturewefindthefocus
toberestorativejusticeratherthanretributivejusticeandthegoalistoservetheshalom
(iewholeness)ofthecommunityTheprinciplesofrestorativejusticehaveoftenguided
thepronouncementsoncriminaljusticeforthePresbyterianChurchUSA(PCUSA)
whichdefinesrestorativejusticeasldquoaddressingthehurtsandtheneedsofthevictimthe
offenderandthecommunityinsuchawaythatallmdashvictimoffenderandcommunitymdash
mightbehealedrdquo7WefindthissimilarfocusandgoalsettingintheResolutiononRestor-
ativeJustice(RRJ)fromthe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)ofthePCUSAwhichstates
The fundamental orientation of the Old Testament scriptures is not
to demand conformance to moral or religious law The fundamental
orientation is to sustainmdashor where broken to restoremdashthe covenantal
relationships and the covenantal bonds of the human community before
God In the Old Testament Godrsquos righteousness lsquoinvolves both justice and
compassion as expressed in Godrsquos concern for the weak and vulnerablersquo8
ThisisclearlythecalloftheprophetJeremiahasheaddressesthekingofJudahintheBook
ofJeremiah
Thus says the Lord lsquoAct with justice and righteousness and deliver
from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed And
do no wrong or violence to the alien the orphan and the widowhellip Do
you think you are a king because you compete in cedar Did not your
7 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf 8 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
Part 2 Biblical amp denominational underpinnings
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
7
father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness Then it was well
with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy then it was well
Is this not to know mersquo says the Lord (Jeremiah 223 15 16)
DoingjusticeisknowingGodJesusmakesthesamecalltodojusticeintheBookof
Matthew
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you tithe mint dill
and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law justice
and mercy and faith It is these you ought to have practiced without
neglecting the others (Matthew 2323)
Akeyelementofbiblicaljusticeisthatitisnotaneutralapplicationofanabstractlegal
systemInsteadbiblicaljusticeisopenlybiasedinfavorofpeoplewhohavenopoweror
standinglikeexamplesJeremiahgaveofthealientheorphanandthewidowItstandsto
protectthosewhoareweakpoorandmarginalized
IntheNewTestamenttheimageoftheKingdomofGodistheprimaryexpressionofjustice
andrighteousnessJesusexplicitlyrejectstheretributivelawoflextalionisorldquoaneyeforan
eyerdquoandcallsusinsteadtoloveourenemies(Matthew 538-45)Justiceisnotmeasuredby
whatpeopledeservefortheircriminalbehaviorbutbyhowtheharmishealedandrelation-
shipsarere-established
Theresolutionsoughtisnotthatthepersonwhohasstrayedldquogetswhattheydeserverdquobut
ratherthatrelationshipsarere-establishedandharmsarehealedInourbiblicaltradition
thereisanldquohellipinsistencethatGoddoesnotdealwithhumanevilandsinbyseeking
retributionorplottingthedestructionofthosewhosinrdquotothecontraryldquoGodtakesthe
initiativeintryingtoovercomeevilwithgoodhellipGodrsquosjusticeisorientednottowardretri-
butionbuttowardlsquohealingreconciliationtherestorationofrelationshipsrsquordquo9Concernfor
thewholecommunityanditsshalomiseverpresent
Thesafetyofcitizensisafundamentalpartofthecriminaljusticesystemandsomeindi-
vidualswhobecauseoftheircriminalactionsshouldbeincarceratedPunishmentand
retributionshouldneverbethedrivingforceofincarceration
9 Presbyterian Church (USA) 214th General Assembly (2002) Resolution on Restorative Justice Office of the General Assembly Louisville httpogapcusaorgmediauploadsogapdfrestorative-justicepdf
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
8
ldquoThefirststeptowardrestorationmustbetoprotectthosewhohavesufferedandthose
whoareatrisktosufferatthehandsofothersrdquo10Thisapproachtakestheprotectionof
peoplersquossafetyveryseriouslybyholdingoffendersaccountablefortheiractionsintheleast
restrictivewaypossible
Wefindguidancefromastatementbythe200thGeneralAssemblyofthePCUSA(1988)
onPrisonViolenceandNonviolentAlternativeswhichurgedthatldquoindividualPresbyte-
riansandtheentitiesoftheGeneralAssemblyhellipadvocateasocialorderwherecompassion
andjusticecharacterizeeffortstowardthoseinthecriminaljusticesystemrdquoandcalled
forldquochangingaprisonsystemthatisbasedontheconceptofpunishmenttoonethat
encouragestherestorationoftheoffendertothecommunityandthedevelopmentofalter-
nativestoincarcerationrdquo11Thisrestorationiskeytotheworkwedoasachurchandsociety
HealingthereforemeansareturntowholenessforallconcernedThebiblicalconceptof
shalomistheguideforassessingthiswholenessShalomisasocialandcommunalterm
whichindicatesholisticwell-beingInadditionshalomsignifiesgoodrelationsamong
personsfamiliesnationsthephysicalenvironmentandbetweeneachoftheseandGod
IndoingsoGodintendsforthejustpeaceofshalomtobethegoalofourlifetogether
10 Ibid 11 Presbyterian Church (USA) 200th General Assembly (1988) Statement on Prison Violence and Nonviolent Alternatives httpswwwpcusaorgresourcerestorative-justice
PART 2 BIBLICAL amp DENOMINATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
9
In this section we address ways in which incarceration rates could be lowered
both by focusing on incarceration itself and by focusing on the systemic
societal issues that are root causes of crime particularly low-level offenses
Livability CrimesInseveralofourlisteningsessionsweheardconcernsoversentencesforso-called
ldquolivabilitycrimesrdquo12Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtotrespassingaggressivesolici-
tationviolationofopenbottlelawsandlittering13Inparticularwhiledowntownbusi-
nessescountontheMinneapolisPoliceDepartmenttochargethesecrimessothatthearea
remainswelcomingtopayingmembersofthepublictheincarcerationrelatedtothese
crimesfeelstomanylikethecriminalizationofpovertyandhomelessnessBroadefforts
madeatthecityandstatelevelmustfocusonboth(1)attemptingtoprovidesocialservices
tokeeppersonsexperiencinghomelessnessoutofjailand(2)holisticapproachesthat
addresstherootcausesofthesecrimes
HennepinCountyhasimplementedaninitiativeconnectingateamofsocialworkers
withinmatesinaneffortldquotobringbasicsocialservicestothousandsofinmatesatthe
countyjailinthehopethatoncetheyleavejailtheywillbelesslikelytocomebackrdquo14The
initiativeincludessupportivehousinginformationmentalhealthcounselingandassis-
tancewithhealthinsurancePartofthesuccessofthisprogramisthatithasgarnered
cooperationacrosssystemsincludingthesheriffrsquosdepartmentjudgespublicdefenders
prosecutorssocialworkersandhealthcareproviders
County programs are leveraging county resources across systems to
maximize collective experience and implementing innovative solutions
that are creative and flexible to focus more effort where it makes most
sense in the criminal justice process15
Thiseffortisencouragingbothfromasubstantivestandpointandbecauseitrepresents
anefforttobreakdownthesilosthatoftenoccurinthegovernmentandnonprofitservices
offeredtovulnerablecitizens
12 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394 13 Appelman Law Firm LLC (2017) ldquoMinnesota Open Container Offenserdquo httpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-open-container-offense14 Serres Chris (2015) ldquoAt county jail social workers hope to stop the revolving doorrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomat-county-jail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door291341891 15 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoBetter Together Hennepinrdquo httpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
Part 3 Reducing incarceration in responsible ways
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
10
Detention Alternatives Youth amp AdultsInthejuvenilejusticeareaHennepinCountyispartofaJuvenileDetentionAlternatives
Initiative(JDAI)TheJDAIseekstoeliminateinappropriateorunnecessaryuseofsecure
detentionforourcommunityrsquosyouthpreventracialandethnicdisparitiesandredirect
resourcestoeffectivecommunity-basedandculturallyappropriateservicesforyouthand
theirfamiliesAfterthesuccessofJDAIHennepinCountyisnowimplementingtheAdult
DetentionInitiative(ADI)acollaborativethathasldquodevelopedandisexecutingastrategic
actionplanforidentifyingindividualswhomaynotneedtobedetainedinjailwhiletheir
caseisbeingresolvedrdquo16
TheADInotesthattheHennepinCountyAdultDetentionCentersometimesreferredtoas
thecountyjailhas33000admissionsannuallywithacostof$132perindividualperday
andthatatleastonethirdofthejailpopulationsuffersfromanidentifiedmentalillness
ldquoOftendetainingthesepeopleinjailworsenstheirsymptomsandconditionsrdquoInaddition
ldquo[t]hosewhoremaininjailforlowleveloffensesaredisproportionatelypoorrdquoADIisdoing
thefollowing
bull CollaboratingwiththeDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestofind appropriatealternativestojailforthementallyill
bull WorkingwiththeDepartmentofCommunityCorrectionsand Rehabilitation(DOCCR)toreviewpoliciesandproceduresforissuingbench warrantsreservingarrestandjailtimeforoccasionswhencompliance withcourtconditionsandprogresstowardsrehabilitationcannotbe
achievedthroughalternativemeans
bull Reducingbenchwarrantsforpeoplewhodonotappearincourt
bull WorkingwiththeHennepinCountySheriffrsquosOfficetoinstitutealdquocourt expeditorrdquotomonitorcasesandworktoeliminateunnecessarystays17
bull Workingonbailreformtoensuredecisionstodetainorreleasearebased
onrisk18
16 Hennepin County (2017) ldquoAdult Detention Initiative Fact Sheetrdquo httpwwwhennepinuscjcc 17 Hennepin County (2016) ldquoAdult Detention Initiativerdquo httpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf 18 Ibid
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
11
TheHennepinCountyCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCommitteewhichisresponsiblefor
implementingADIneedstoberecognizedencouragedandfundedfortheseeffortsIn
additionwesupportalatermeasurementoftheeffortstodeterminewhethertheyhave
madeadifferenceinreducingpre-trialincarcerationnumbersandrecidivism
Bail ReformBailreformwillnotnecessarilyreduceratesoflong-termincarcerationintheformof
prisonsentencesbutithasbeenatopicofconcerninthemediaoflateandweheard
concernoverpre-dispositionincarcerationduetoexcessivebailatseveralofourlistening
sessionsWeheardfromjudgesandcommunitymembersconcernedabouttheinequityin
pre-dispositionincarcerationfordefendantsOftenindividualschargedwithacrimewill
failtoshowupforahearingbecauseofmentalillnesshomelessnessortransportation
challengesAwarrantwillbeissuedfortheirarrestoftenresultinginshort-termincarcer-
ationMinnesotaishometoseveralnon-profitorganizationsaimedataddressingthese
seeminglyintractableissuesandwesupportlookingfurtherintotheissueofbailreform
andhowpretrialincarcerationdisproportionatelyaffectsthepoor
Initiativesatagrassrootslevelarehavingapositiveimpactonthosesufferingfromthe
difficultiesofthecriminaljusticesystemFreedomFundisanonprofitthatprovidesassis-
tancetolow-incomepeopleinMinnesotabyacceptingdonationstopostbail19Theonly
caveatfortheindividualistoshowuptotheirnextcourtdateThefounderidentifieda
keypainpointforindividualswithlowincomesmanyofthesepeopleareforcedtoplead
guiltyacceptapenaltyandacriminalrecordinlieuofservingtimeinjailbecausethey
cannotaffordbailInthiswaybailplaysanimportantmdashalbeitcontroversialmdashrolefor
prosecutorsanddefendantswhoareseekingtoavoidjailtimeFreedomFundisforcing
conversationsbypractitionersthroughoutthestateofMinnesotatothinktwiceaboutthe
legitimacyofthecurrentbailsystem
Criminalizing Mental HealthWeheardmanyconcernsoverwhatwasperceivedasthecriminalizationofmentalhealth
orincarceratingindividualswithmentalillnessinsteadofprovidingthemwithinpatient
oroutpatientpsychiatricservicesNumerousindividualsworkinginthecriminaljustice
systemexpressedtheirdesireandperceivednecessityfortreatingmentallyillindividuals
ratherthancomplicatingtheirillnessesinprisonResourceshoweverareextraordinarily
19 Mannix Andy (2017) University of Minnesota Student Takes on Injustices in the Bail System Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomuniversity-of-minnesota-student-takes-on-injustices-in-the-bail-system418289153
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
12
scarceandoftenabsentBasedonthetheorythatpeoplewholackself-controlwillengage
indelinquentorcriminalbehavioraccessiblementalhealthtreatmentforeveryone
isessentialPsychotherapyisthebestwayforsomecriminalstorecognizetheldquoerrors
oftheirwaysrdquoandtoestablishmethodsofself-controlthatinsulateagainstoffending
Controltheoryhassuggestedthatregulationoftheindividualmustcomethroughpolicies
fosteringintegrationintothesocialorderratherthanthroughpoliciesofisolationand
punishmentCriminaljusticepolicymakersarecontinuouslylookingforwaystoreduce
thelikelihoodofdelinquentorcriminalbehavior
Whiletherearemanycriminalswhoarediagnosedwithamentalillnessadiagnosisalone
doesnotjustifycriminalbehaviorUnfortunatelymentalhealthissuesaredrivingpeople
intothecriminaljusticesystemFromourlisteningsessionwithagroupofHennepin
CountyJudgeswelearnedthatroughly40ofHennepinCountycriminalcasesinvolve
mentalhealthissuesWhenaskedhowtheyseethecourtsystemaddressingthisintersec-
tionalitybetweenmentalhealthandcrimethejudgesrespondedwiththedefinitionof
ldquocompetencyrdquothelevelofmentalhealththatguidessentencingdecisionsordismissalof
casesuntilldquocompetencyisrestoredrdquoCasesinvolvingyouthaswelearnedfromtheListening
SessionrequirepsychologicalexaminationsforallperpetratorsFromtheseconversations
wegainedadeeperunderstandingofhowmentalhealthplaysapivotalroleinthecriminal
justicesystemforadultsandyouthYetdespitetheseeffortstonormalizeandfocusonthe
importanceofmentalhealthmuchneedstobedonetoimprovethesystem
DuringourtouroftheWashingtonCountyJailwespokewithseveralcorrectionaldeputies
ThejailsergeantwhogavethetoursaidldquoSomanymentallyillcomeintothejailandIwish
thattherewassomethingelsethatcouldbedoneinsteadofincarcerationrdquoDuringourtour
wegatheredthefollowinginsights
bull Thereisadistinctneedforfacilitiestotreatmentalhealthpatientswhodonot belonginaprison
bull Accordingtooneofficialonanygivendayapproximately95ofallinmatesareon medicationformentalhealthrelatedillness
bull Inmatesarediagnosedwithawiderangeofmentalillnessesfrom anxietyandordepressiontopsychoticdisordersInmatesandtheir medicationarereviewedbyapart-timedoctorwhoiscontractedfroma localproviderinStillwaterTheyensurethatthemedicationisnotaddictive Wewereleftwithquestionsabouthowdiagnosesaredetermined
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
13
bull Correctionaldeputiesandlawenforcementofficersonpatrolhavethe opportunitytoparticipateina4-daycrisisinterventiontraining(CIT)which isanintensementalhealthtrainingprogramthatutilizesactorsinscenarios andthechancetodialoguewithcurrentlydiagnosedmentallyillpatients
DuringaJanuarypresentationattheWestminsterPresbyterianChurchSocialJustice
ForumDrThomasAdamsPresidentandCEOofBetterFuturesMinnesotaidentified
acriticalneedforhealthandwellnessengagementinpost-incarcerationservicesDr
AdamsnotedthatldquothroughpartnershipswithHennepinHealthNorthPointHealthand
WellnessandMNSureBetterFuturesrsquoparticipantsrsquoimmediate[post-incarceration]mental
andphysicalhealthneedsareassessedandaddressedrdquoThatincludesldquovisionmentaland
physicalhealthaswellasanychemicaldependencyissuesthatcouldimpactapartici-
pantrsquospotentialtofullyparticipateinalife-buildingBetterFuturesmodelrdquo
Duringourcongregationallisteningsessionsthefollowingconcernswerevoiced
bull Thenarrativesurroundingmentalhealthmustchange
bull Criminaljusticeagencieswouldbenefitfrommoretrainingaboutmental healthissues
bull Thereshouldbealinkbetweensentencingreformandrestorativejustice withregardtomentalhealthissues
bull Communitiesneedmorementalhealthresources
bull Prisonsneedmorementalhealthprofessionalsonstaff
bull Prisonisapoorsubstituteformentalhealthtreatmentandprisonsshouldnotbe orreplacementalhealthtreatmentfacilities
bull Welearnedthatinsomecasesincarceratedpersonshavetopayfortheir mentalhealthmedsthemselvesHealthcareingeneralisnotwhatit shouldbeinprisonfacilities
Plentyofanecdotalevidenceexiststoshowthatstatesarespendingmoretoincarcerate
peoplewithmentalillnessthanitwouldcosttoprovidethemwithtreatmentArecent
studyldquoEffectsofOutpatientTreatmentonRiskofArrestofAdultswithSeriousMental
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
14
IllnessandAssociatedCostsrdquo(May 2013 Journal of Psychiatric Services)20providesdatato
supportthatconclusionThisstudyhasreceivedwidespreadattention
Probation to Prison SentencesTherevocationofprobationduetotechnicalviolationsofprobation(egfailingtoremain
soberfailingtoremainincontactwithprobationofficer)isanareaofthecriminaljustice
systemwhichbearsreforming
FirstweneedtounderstandthenatureofprobationinMinnesotaProbationandsuper-
visedreleasearetimeservedundersupervisioneitherinplaceofjailorprisontimeor
asthesequeltojailorprisontimeMinnesotadoesnotuseaParoleBoardIn1980new
sentencingguidelinescalledforjudgestosetthetermsofreleaseforeachoffender
includingthedateofsupervisedreleaseDeterminant sentencingdictatesthatoffenders
whogotoprisonspendtwothirdsoftheirtimeincarceratedinastatecorrectionalfacility
andonethirdinthecommunityundersupervision
EventhoughMinnesotahasoneofthelowestprisonpopulationratesweleadthe
nationinratesofpeopleonprobationProbationisoftenusedmorethanjailtimewithin
HennepinCountyasanefforttofocusontreatmentratherthanpunishmentldquoAsofthe
endof2015nearly100000peopleinthestatewereunderprobationmdashthefifth-highest
rateinthenationaccordingtoBJSdatardquo21Whiletheselargenumbersofpeopleon
probationmayleadustobelievethesystemisworkingbetterthaninstatesthatincar-
ceratemorepeopleweneedtodigdeeperintothenumberstounderstandtheimpactsof
communitysupervision
Themajorityoffelony-levelprobationersinMinnesotaareundersupervisionfordrugor
DWI-relatedcrimesin2016103000peoplewereonprobationstatewideand19000on
supervisedreleaseProbationandsupervisedreleaseareattemptstoreturnpeopletotheir
communitiesinhopesthatcommunity-basedtreatmentandprogramscanhelpreduce
apersonrsquosriskofrecidivismHoweverapersonundersupervisedreleasemayreturnto
prisonforfailingtomeetstandardorspecialconditionsasdeterminedbysupervising
authoritiessomeofthesefallintothecategoryofldquotechnicalviolationsrdquosuchasfailingto
findandmaintainaresidenceorsteadyemploymentfailingtoattendspecificmandated
programsorfailingtomaintaincontactwiththeiragentmdashinotherwordsviolationsthat
20 Marso Andy (2016) ldquoResearch illuminates cost of criminalizing mental illnessrdquo The Topeka Capital Journal httpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness 21 Minnesota Department of Corrections Overview to the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee January 18 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
15
donotinvolveadditionalcriminalbehaviorExtenuatingcircumstancesoftenimpactthese
failurestomeetsupervisedreleaserequirementsmdashthelackofaffordablehousingavailable
treatmentbedslittleornofamilytofallbackonortransportationbarriers
Approximately36 of the prison population is made up of ldquotechnicalrdquo violatorsorthose
whofailtomeettheconditionsoftheirsupervisedrelease22
Theconcernisthatusingprisonasamandatoryconsequenceforfailingprobationor
supervisedreleaseprovideslittleopportunitytoreformlongtermbehaviorResearchnotes
thatprisonasageneralruledoesnotimprovemattersanditoftenmakesthingsworse23
Inonestudyitwasfoundthatincarcerationincreasedrecidivismby14comparedto
community-basedsanctions24
Additionallyroughly48ofmalesandnearly60offemaleprisonersaresentencedto
servelessthansixmonthsinprison25Theseshortstintsdonotallowincarceratedpersons
toenrollinschooltreatmentorothervaluableprogrammingshowntoreducefuture
criminalbehaviorTheseshortstintshoweverdisruptfamilyandpersonallivesremove
apersonfromemploymentorcommunityprogrammingopportunitiesandforceinter-
actionswithotherpersonssometimeshigherriskwhocanmodeladditionalandmore
extremeanti-socialbehaviors
Ourrecommendationisthatcommunity-basedsanctionsbeexploredmorethoroughly
asalternativestoprisonsentencesforpersonswhodonotalwayshavetheabilityto
meetprobationorsupervised-releaseconditionsEvidence-basedassessmentscanhelp
determineneedandresponsivityissuesthatpreventapersonfrommeetingconditionsIn
additionsupervisingagentsshouldhavetheauthoritytomatchneedswithcommunitybased
servicesbeforeconsideringexecutingaprisoncommitmentorreturningapersontoprison
Sentencing Reform for Drug OffensesTheldquowarondrugsrdquoofthe1980sbroughtsentencingpoliciessuchasmandatoryminimum
sentencesforparticulardrugcrimesextremelylongprisonsentencesforthesameanda
reductioninthediscretionofdistrictcourtjudgestofashionappropriateandjustsentences
forthoseconvictedofdrugcrimesInthelastdecadewehaveseenthosepoliciesdialed
22 Ibid 23 Latessa E Listwan S amp Koetzle D What Works (and Doesnrsquot) in Reducing Recidivism 2015 24 Jonson C 2010 The impact of imprisonment on reoffending A meta-analysis Unpublished doctoral dissertation Cincinnati OH University of Cincinnati 25 DOC 2017
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
16
backareductionofmandatoryminimumsandincreaseddiscretionfordistrictcourt
judgesldquoInanincreasinglyrareachievementconservativesandliberalshadcometogether
ontheissueputtingthemonthevergeofwinningreductionsinmandatoryminimum
sentencesandcreatingnewprogramstohelpoffendersadjusttolifeafterprisonrdquo26
UnfortunatelythecurrentJusticeDepartmentisreversingthistrendtowardmoreequitable
sentencingreturningtothedraconianpoliciesofmandatoryminimumsagainsttheadviceof
theDOJrsquosownresearchdivision27
Anycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesanda
reductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentencesldquoNoteverybodywhofalls
withintheletterofthecriminalprohibitionissomebodywhodeservesthatkindof
criminalpunishmentItrsquosnotaboutexcusingpeopleorcondoningcriminalbehavioritrsquosa
questionoftryingtofigureouthowmuchpunishmentisenoughandatwhatpointareyou
pilingonneedlesslyandatgreatcostrdquo28
Specialty CourtsHennepinCountysetsanationwideexampleinaddressingparticularpopulationsof
citizenswithldquoproblem-solvingcourtsrdquoorldquotreatmentcourtsrdquoThesecourtsattemptto
addressrootcausessuchasalcoholanddrugaddictionmentalillnesseffectsofmilitary
serviceandhomelessnessasawaytoaddressthecrimethatoftenresultsfromthoseroot
causesHennepinCountyrsquosProblem-SolvingCourtsincludeVeteransCourtDWICourt
CriminalMentalHealthCourtModelDrugCourtHousingOutreachforMinneapolitans
EstablishingStability(HOMES)andGainingIndependenceforFemalesinTransition(GIFT)
ForexampletheHOMESCourtstartedwithanideafromtheMinneapolisnonprofitSt
StephensrsquoHumanServicesandlinksindividualschargedwithlow-leveloffenseswith
housingservicesIfanindividualinHOMEScourtworkswiththesocialworkersassigned
tohelphimorherthecourtcandelaythechargesandpotentiallydismissthemIfthe
individualdoesnotfollowthroughheorshewouldstillfacepotentialjailtime29InDrug
Courtthemissionistoldquoincreasepublicsafetyimprovechemicalhealthandreducecrime
26 Hulse Carl (2017) Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing Then Came Jeff Sessions The New York Times httpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0 27 Christopher Ingraham(2017) It took Jeff Sessions just one month to turn Obama-era drug policy on its head Washington Post httpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-its-headutm_term=14c5a3604481 28 David Alan Sklansky law professor Stanford University quoted in Ruiz Rebecca (2017) Attorney General Orders Tougher Sentences Rolling Back Obama Policy New York Times httpsnytimn2r6Rote 29 Stahl Brandon (2016) ldquoHennepin County specialty court offers path out of homelessnessrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
17
bytargetingthepopulationoffelonypropertyanddrugoffenderswhohaveasubstance
usedisorderandareathighrisktoreoffendrdquo30EntryintoDrugCourtisvoluntaryand
participantsaresubjecttosupervisionwithinputfromamulti-disciplinaryteamofprofes-
sionalsSuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinadischargefromactiveprobation
Role of the Public DefenderThePublicDefenderplaysacriticalroleinthejusticesystemyetisconsistentlyunder-
fundedPublicdefendersareoverwhelmedinoursystemwhichleadstolessattention
paidtoclientsandafundamentallackoftrustthatclientshavefortheircourt-appointed
attorneysInourlisteningsessionswesawtheresultsofthisunderfundingformerly
incarceratedindividualscomplainedabouttheirattorneysandjudgescomplainedthat
thepublicdefendersdonothaveenoughtimetogivefullattentiontoeachcaseWhileit
istruethatallaspectsofthesystemmdashprosecutorssocialworkersjudgesandothersmdash
arecurrentlyoverloadedweconsistentlyheardthatpublicdefendersborethebruntof
overloadandunderfundingThepublicdefenderiscriticaltoasystemthatpurportstobe
fairandjustwemusttrustthatstronglegalrepresentationisavailabletorichandpoor
alikeWithoutthattrustthesystembreaksdownAsataskforcewestronglyrecommend
additionalresourcesforthepublicdefendersinMinnesota
Early Intervention for At-Risk PopulationsWhenfocusingonmassincarcerationitiseasytofocusonthecriminaljusticesystemand
theprisonsystemInallthatweheardandreadwewerestruckbythe(perhapsobvious)
sentimentthatcriminaljusticereformwillnotbemeaningfulunlessitaddressesthe
largersocietalproblemsofpovertyandtheeducationgapparticularlybetweenwhitesand
personsofcolorThefollowingsectionsdeveloptheseconceptsfurther
Child Protection
Whenaskedabouttheone thing thathewouldchangeaboutthecriminaljusticesystem
toreduceincarcerationaHennepinCountyjudgesaidthathewouldfocusonearlyinter-
ventionforat-riskpopulationsHesawveryclearlythelinkthatexistsbetweenfamiliesin
childprotectionandthechildrenrsquoseventualinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemas
adultsTherestoftheHennepinCountyjudgesthatparticipatedinthislisteningsession
noddedinagreementWefurtheridentifywiththeirsentimentespeciallyhereinMinnesota
30 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2015) ldquoHennepin County Drug Courtrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
18
In2014BrandonStahloftheStarTribunewroteanarticlemeanttoshockhisreaders
intowantingtoknowmoreaboutthecurrentlyfailedMinnesotachildwelfaresystem
HestatedldquoFifty-sixchildreninMinnesotahavediedofmaltreatmentsince2005
despitecountiesknowingthechildwasatriskorthecaretakerwasdangerousrdquo31
Thesechildmortalityratesareunacceptableunfortunatelyfewactionshavetakenplace
tochangethesystemUnderstandingtheimpactthatincarcerationhasonanadultisjust
onesideoftheissueWhenweexpandourviewtoincludethepartnersandchildrenof
thoseincarceratedtheproblemsgrowexponentially
GovernorMarkDaytonconvenedaGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildren
whichpublishedafinaldraftreportinMarch201532Thisreportoutlinedavarietyof
amendmentstoimprovethescreeningprocessofchildprotectionservicesthatfocusonthe
outcomesthatmeasuressuccessofimprovingthelivesofchildrenWeencouragethiswork
andhopethatsimilareffortswillbemademovingforwardatthestatelevel
Attachment
Anotheropportunitytoreducefutureincarcerationofat-riskpopulationsistofocus
onldquoattachmentrdquoLatelysocialscienceresearchershavedocumentedtheimportanceof
attachmenttoreduceAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs)whichhavebeenlinkedto
higherratesofcriminalactivityandleadadultstoprisonAccordingtotheSubstance
AbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)examplesofACEsinclude
physicalabusesexualabuseemotionalabusephysicalneglectemotionalneglect
mothertreatedviolentlysubstancemisusewithinhouseholdhouseholdmentalillness
parentalseparationordivorceandincarceratedhouseholdmember33Acycleofabuse
canoccurbetweengenerationsandleavelastingimpactsonthestabilityofhomesfor
childrenduringveryimportantdevelopmenttime-periodsThiscycleplaysalargeroleIn
additionloveandprotectionarekeyincreatingattachmentbetweenchildandparent
Whenthisdoesnotformachildrsquosentirelifeisaffectedincludingtheabilitytoformrela-
tionshipsunderstandingofself-worthhealthsocialskillsandmood34Causesforthis
failedattachmentincluderepeatedparentalchangesasdevelopedthroughfostercareand
despondentparentingingeneral
31 Stahl Brandon (2014) ldquoLessons from child abuse deaths go unheeded in Minnesotardquo Star Tribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701 32 ldquoGovernorrsquos Task Force on the Protection of Children Final Report and Recommendationsrdquo (March 2015) Star Tribune httpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf 33 SAMHSA (2017) Adverse Childhood Experiences httpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioral-healthadverse-childhood-experiences 34 WebMD (2017) Reactive Attachment Disorder httpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
19
PsychologistsdiagnosethisfailedattachmentasReactiveAttachmentDisorder(RAD)35
Theemotionalseparationthatchildrendevelopwithabsentparentssuchasthosetaken
bythecriminaljusticesystemisaprecursortobehaviorthatultimatelyleadstoincar-
cerationThesebehaviorsincludeself-destructionanimalabuseandgeneralpersistence
toviolenceUnderstandingthisdisorderleadstofurtherquestionsthatarecurrentlyleft
unaddressedsuchas
bull Forfamilieswhohaveanincarceratedparenthowdowecreate opportunitiesforattachment
bull WithanincreaseintheincarcerationratesofAfricanAmericanandNative AmericanwomeninMinnesotahowdowehandlethechildrenwhoremaininthe community
bull Whatprogrammingcanbeaddedtojailsprisonstohelpwithattachment
bull Howcanweprovideeducationaboutattachmenttofamiliesinpovertyorcrisis
Education Initiatives
Theeducationgapisparticularlyprofoundinfamilieswhereoneparentisincarcerated
Inthesesituationsextraresourcesareneededbecausethesechildrenareatahigherrisk
forincarcerationthantheirpeersSchoolsystemsoffertheperfectlocationforsuchearly
interventionprogramswherementalillnessispresentTeachersandadministratorsmust
actasadvocatesfordiagnosesandsupportfortreatmentthatwillkeepchildrenand
theirfamiliessafeandoutofthesystemBuildingclosetrustingrelationshipsisakey
connectionforsuccesswiththisunderservedandvulnerablepopulationofchildren
Trainingprofessionalstobepresentforoneanotherparticularlyintheeducationsettingis
keyforchildrenofincarceratedparents
WestminsterPresbyterianChurchhasbeenaleaderinthisinitiativeformanyyearsIn
2014theLeagueofWomenVotershostedaforumentitledInterrupting the Prison Pipe-
line36moderatedbyPastorDougMitchellwithfourguestspeakersincludingMarkHaase
fromtheCriminalJusticeTrendsMarkKappelhofffromCouncilonCrimeandJustice
PolicingandChiefKrisArnesonfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaLawSchoolandMinne-
35 Families by Design (2017) ldquoReactive Attachment Disorderrdquo Nancy Thomas Parenting httpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachment-disorder 36 League of Women Voters (2014) Interrupting the Prison Pipeline Youtube httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
20
apolisPoliceDepartmentThisforumfocusedontheschool-to-prisonpipelineandthe
importanceoffamilyandcommunityadvocatesinpreservingtheeducationandfuture
successofchildrenOpportunitieslikethisprovideanopenandhonestdialogueaboutthe
roleofeducationandareimportantandencouraged
ThelinkbetweenlackofeducationandprisonisbothobviousandstartlingThemore
wecandotosupporteducationinitiativesinat-riskpopulationsthemorewewillbe
helpingtoreduceincarcerationratesTheachievementgapneedstobeaddressedherein
MinnesotaandthenationasawholeThecurrentdebateislargelyaboutschoolchoice
orpublicschoolsButtherealissueistheschool-to-prisonpipelineresultingfrombehav-
ioralproblemsofkidsinschoolsthatdonrsquothavetheresources(egadultstimemoney
programstraining)toclosethegap
Additionallyithasbeenfoundthatstudentswhoareremovedfromtheirclassroom
settingsmdashforbehavioralproblemsorotherwisemdashstrugglewithinterpersonalrelationships
aswellasacademicsuccessPsychologistsAdelmanandTaylorfoundthatldquopullingat-risk
studentsoutofclasstobecounseledpunishedorsuspendedforaggressivebehaviorsor
bullyinginterferedwiththeirpeerrelationshipsandacademicprogressrdquo37Thepsycholo-
gistsdiscoveredthatkeepingthesechildreninstimulatingsupportiveclassroomshelped
themtostopactingoutandlearntosharetheirownuniquegiftswithotherkids
Otherroadblockswhichcanhinderachildrsquosopportunityforagoodlearningenvironment
gobeyondtheschoolsystemHealthandwellnessplayalargeroleinthesuccessofachild
atschoolManyschoolshavecutproactiveandpreventivehealthservicesreducingthe
numberofschoolnursesandpsychologistswhoregularlymonitorstudentswhomayneed
helpAschool-basedpsychologistornursetrainedinmentalhealthisinabetterpositionto
assistachildstrugglingwithbehavioralissuesthanmanyfrontlineteachers
Wealsoneedtofindwaystoteachparentshowtobeadvocatesfortheirchildrenwithin
schoolsystemsTherearemanydifferentorganizationsthatcreatebondsbetweenat-risk
childrenandsupportivementoringadultssuchasBigBrothersBigSistersofAmericaAt
thelocalleveltheNetworkfortheDevelopmentofChildrenofAfricanDescent(NdCAD)is
doingsomeimpressiveworktoempowerparentsintheliteraryeducationoftheirchildren
OneclassisentitledldquoParentPowerrdquoandencouragestheroleofparenttobeoneoflifelong
teacher38TheystateldquoEverythingparentsdoathometoadvanceliteracyhaslong-term
37 DeAngelis Tory (2012) ldquoHelping At-Risk Students Succeedrdquo American Psychological Association wwwapaorgmonitor201202at-risk-studentsaspx 38 NdCAD (2016) ldquoParent Powerrdquo httpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
21
effectsonpreparingachildforsuccessinschoolandliferdquoThesebasicskillsfurtherdrive
attachmentbetweenparentandchildandworktoproactivelycounterissueslikeACEs
andRADWeencouragethistypeofworkandhopethatmoreorganizationwhoworkwith
at-riskpopulationsadoptsimilarpoliciesandprograms
PART 3 REDUCING INCARCERATION IN RESPONSIBLE WAYS
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
22
Part 4 Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
In this section we focus on the impact that the incarceration system has
on individuals their families and the greater community Our insights
were developed from listening sessions tour of the Washington County Jail
and research
Solitary ConfinementQuakersfirstintroducedsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStatesasldquoprisonreformrdquothey
assumedthattimespentinisolationwouldhelpinmatesfindGodaswellasaninnersenseof
well-beingThisexperimentfailedbadlyandthecountrylargelyabandonedisolationinthe
1890sInthe1970sovercrowdedprisonsresultedinviolentuprisingsandsolitaryconfine-
ment39Todayover80000personsareheldinsolitaryconfinementintheUnitedStates40
MinnesotahasonlyrecentlybeguntolookatalternativestoisolationpracticesWhile
safetyreasonsexistforisolatingsomeinmatesDOCregardsthepracticeasnecessaryto
maintainasecureenvironmentforallinmatesCurrentlyMinnesotahasnooversightor
guidelinesforhowisolationshouldbeusednorhowlongsomeonecanremaininsolitary
confinementInarecentarticlebyAndyMannixintheStarTribunemorethan1600
Minnesotainmateshavespent6monthsorlongerinisolationinthelast10yearsOver
thatsame10-yearperiodMinnesotahassent17500inmatesintosolitaryconfinement
437ofwhichwereinisolationoneyearorlonger41Thefollowingisadescriptionofthe
isolationexperience
For at least 23 hours a day walled off from all outside sounds Nasseff
was confined inside an 8 frac12-by-11-foot cell A single bed concrete
bench shower and toilet left just enough space for him to do push-ups
A camera mounted on the ceiling watched him at all times Unseen
hands flushed the toilet and controlled the light42
Inmatesinisolationregularlyactoutinthefollowingwaysfloodtheircellscutthem-
selvesandsmearbloodandtheirownfecesonthemselvesandtheircellsbangoncell
doorshowlandpaceback-and-forthOneprisonerdescribeditasldquobeingburiedalive
withnothingtodordquo43Isolationtendstoexacerbatementalillnessandseveralstudiesshow
39 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817 40 Ibid 41 Andy Mannix ldquoExtreme Isolation Scars State Inmatesrdquo Minneapolis Star Tribune 12416 42 Ibid 43 Last Days of Solitary PBSrsquo Show Frontline 41817
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
23
thatwheninmatesarereleasedtheirexperienceinisolationmakesitmorelikelytheywill
reoffendandendupbackinprison44
In2013theStateofMaineinstitutedseveralreformstoaddressthepsychologicalharm
donebysolitaryconfinementprisonerdiscussiongroupsfacilitatedbyaprisonpsychol-
ogistestablishedbehaviorexpectationsandaclearpathtoreintegrationwiththegeneral
prisonpopulationInshorttheyofferedtheinmateshopeInusingthesetechniquesasof
2017Mainereducedthenumberofprisonersinsolitaryconfinementfrom100to845
The reality is 80 of these inmates are going to be hitting the streets
so we can either make them worse and create more victims or we can
rehabilitate them46
Asataskforceweencouragefurtherreformstoreducetheuseofsolitaryconfinementin
MinnesotaWerecognizetheneedforsolitaryconfinementtoprotectfellowprisonersbut
donotrecognizeitforpunitiveuseEffortsliketheMaineexampleprovideMinnesotawith
amapforhoweffectivepolicymakingcanaddressrootissuestopunishment
Programming amp EducationThroughourlisteningsessionsandresearchwelearnedaboutthepivotalroleeducation
canplayforindividualsduringtheirtimeinprisonAccordingtotheMinnesota
DepartmentofCorrectionobtainingasecondarydegreewhileinprisonsignificantly
increasesonersquoschancesofsecuringemploymentwithinthefirsttwoyearsafterrelease
fromprisonby5947Uponintakeintotheprisonsystemalladultoffendersarescreened
bytheTestofAdultBasicEducation(TABE)Thistestcoupledwiththeircurrenteduca-
tionalstatus(iedegreesearned)determinestheeducationalpaththeywilltakeOptions
foreducationalopportunitiesincludeGEDprogramsenrichmentprogramsacademic
post-secondarypathaswellascareerandtechnicaltraining48
InAugustof2015theMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionspassedDivisionDirective
204040whichguaranteeseligibleincarceratedoffendersaneducationalpathwayto
44 Ibid 45 Ibid 46 Ibid 47 Minnesota Department of Corrections (2015) ldquoEducational Programming Evaluationrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf 48 Minnesota Department of Corrections httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
24
enhancetheirqualityoflifeandeconomicstabilityTheDirectivereads
Adult facilities must provide comprehensive educational programming
including literacy general education development (GED) and high
school diploma special education transition to post-secondary and
career post-secondary life skills and other programs designed to
prepare offenders for successful reentry into society
AspartoftheirMasterAcademicPlantheDepartmentofCorrectionsisattheforefront
ofeducationreformforincarceratedindividualswithinthenationResearcharound
educationreformhasbeenamajortopicofdiscussionsincetheVeraInstitutelaunched
theirrelationshipwiththeDOCrecentlyTheimmediatepushbacktoanyinitiatives
surroundingin-prisoneducationalopportunitiesishowtaxdollarsarebeingallocated
WhenMPRNewsrsquoKerriMillerdiscussedthefeasibilityofcollegeprogrammingforprison
inmateswithLoisDavisoftheRANDCorporationandFredPatrickoftheVeraInstitutein2015
theyfoundthatldquoForeverydollarspentonprisoneducationprogramsitsavestaxpayerson
averageabout$5inincarcerationcostsrdquo49Furthermoresucheducationalprogramsplacethe
focusbackonrehabilitativeserviceswhileinprisonandendingthecycleofrecidivism
AccordingtotheGEDTestingServicetheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsranks
firstinthenationalamongallstatedepartmentsinGEDpassingratewitharateof9350
Withinthestatesystemthereareanastounding16differentcareerandtechnicaltraining
areasrangingfrombarbercosmetologylicensinginformationaltechnologycareers
masonryandwelding51
Despitethiswidearrayofopportunitiesforoffendersaccessibilitytotheseprograms
variesbetweenlocationsTheMasterAcademicPlancontainsacareercoachinginitiative
butasofyetthispilotprogramisnotspecifiedforallfacilitiesThistypeofopportunity
shouldbeavailableatallfacilitiessothatoffendersreceivethehelptheyneedthrough
planninganddreamingofanewfuturethatisattainableandrealistic52
49 Mumford Tracy (2015) Should prisoners have access to a college education MPR News httpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners 50 Minnesota Department of Corrections ldquoFact Sheet and Adult Programmingrdquo httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf 51 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 8) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf 52 Minnesota Department of Corrections (pg 9) httpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles531455136429MAP-2016-2018-02042016-Single_Pages_for_Webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
25
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and Reentry ProgrammingNationalresearchshowsthatintegrationandcomprehensivereentryprogramshavethe
greatestsuccessinrehabilitatingindividualsreducingrecidivismandreconnectingindi-
vidualswiththecommunity53Affordablehousingisthenecessarystartingpointgiventhe
factthatindividualswhohaveservedtimeinprisonare4-6timesmorelikelytoexperience
homelessnessthanthegeneralpopulationand77ofpeoplebeingreleasedreportthat
theyreceivenohelpinfindingastableplacetolive54Thisholisticapproachmdashfocusingon
thewholepersonincludingmedicalandmentalhealthcareaswellascognitivebehavioral
interventionsanddevelopingparentingskillsmdashiskeytosuccessfulreentrytransitions55
ThereforeweendorseeffortssuchasthecurrentldquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrdquolegislationto
winstatecompetitivefundingforprovidingongoingsupportiveservicesrentandoper-
atingsupportforserviceproviders56Inadditionwestronglysupportthedevelopmentand
deploymentofpost-incarcerationreentryprogramsliketheGreatRiverLandinghousing
programco-sponsoredbyWestminsterPresbyterianChurchwhichisbasedonholistic
modelsthatcombinethebenefitsofaffordablehousingbasicemploymentandclient
supportiveservices57
Ban the BoxIn2014Minnesotabecamethethirdstateinthecountrytopasslegislationthatprohibited
employersfromaskingaboutcriminalhistoryonanemployeersquosinitialapplicationThis
legislationwouldimpactbothpublicandprivateemployersLeadershipfromtheNational
AssociationfortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)applaudedthepassageofthis
legislationNAACPPresidentandCEOBenJealousstated
As Americans we believe in second chances and we believe that work is
redemptive This is a victory for Minnesota This bill makes it possible
for thousands of parents who have made a mistake and paid their
price to one day get a job get their children out of foster care and pull
their lives and their families back together58
53 On the research basis for the ldquoGreat River Landingrdquo affordable housing program [co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church-Minneapolis] see ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo Unpublished paper Great River Landing Task Force April 27 2017 54 Wilder Research ldquoHomeless adults and children in Minnesotardquo April 2015 55 ldquoBetter Futures Fit with Pew Research 13 Strategies for Successful Supervision and Reentryrdquo 56 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201657 ldquoOverview Proposed lsquoUnlocking Opportunitiesrsquo legislationrdquo Unpublished paper Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative November 8 201658 NAACP ldquoNAACP Celebrates Passage of lsquoBan the Boxrsquo in Minnesotardquo httpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-of-ban-the-box-in-minnesota
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
26
NAACPwasamemberofacoalitionwithlocalorganizationssuchasTakeActionMinnesotarsquos
ldquoJustice4AllCampaignrdquoTheCouncilonCrimeandJusticeTheLeagueofWomenVotersof
MinnesotaandothergroupsintheTwinCitiesTodayemployersarelearningwaystoensure
thattheymeettheguidelinesoutlinedinthelegislationTheMinnesotaDepartmentof
HumanRightsissuedanoverviewthatisinstructiveforemployersontheirwebsite59
TheBantheBoxmovementhasnowspreadthroughoutthecountryAccordingtoNational
EmploymentLawProject(NELP)over150citiesandcountiesin26statesintheUShave
passedlegislationtobanthebox60OrganizationslikeNELPhavedevelopedBantheBox
Toolkitsthatempowerlocalcommunitiestoinitiatecampaignsforcommunitybuilding
andmobilizationaroundthisimportantissueBanningtheboxwillhaveagreatimpacton
ourcommunitiesandensurethatpeoplearenotbeingtreatedunfairlybasedontheirpast
criminalbackgrounds
Expungement
In2015Minnesotapassedanewlawtochangehowsoonarecordcouldbesealed
ldquoUnderthenewlawsomeformeroffenderscanapplytohavetheirrecordssealedtwoto
fiveyearsaftercompletingtheirsentencesrdquo61Thisprocessofexpungementprovidesfor
manyanopportunitytorestarttheirlivesforthebetterYetitistremendouslydifficultto
navigatetheoverwhelmingamountofpaperworkrequiredAfterthepaperworkthereisa
mandatoryfeeofmorethan$200whichvariesdependingontheconvictionandcounty62
InanattempttoalleviatethesehardshipsandbarriersmanyprofessionalsinMinnesota
areworkingwithpeopletofiletheirexpungementpaperworkSuchorganizationsinclude
theVolunteerLawyersNetworkandUniversityofMNLawSchoolHowevermanyofthese
organizationsareconcentratedintheurban-metroareawhichrestrictsaccessforthose
livingingreater-MinnesotaInadditionexpungementforout-of-stateoffensesareeven
moredifficulttypicallyrequiringthehighexpenseoflegalassistance
Otherwaysthatwecanaddressbarriersrelatedtoexpungementincludeexpandingclinics
59 MDHR (2017) ldquoBan the Box Lawrdquo Department of Human Rights httpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanbox-overview-privempjsp 60 Rodriguez and Christman (2015) ldquoThe Fair ChanceBan the Box Toolkitrdquo National Employment Law Project httpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit 61 Jackson Sharyl (2015) ldquoNew Minnesota law makes it easier to expunge criminal recordsrdquo Star Tribune httpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451 62 Minnesota Judicial Branch (2011) ldquoStep-by-Step Guide How to ask the Court to Expunge (Seal) your Criminal Court Recordrdquo httpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
27
toassistformerly-incarceratedprisonerswiththeprocessofferingfreelegalhelpand
seekingdonorswhowillgiftmoneyforthefees
Aglobally-recognizedleaderintheworkofexpungementandprotectionofcivilliberties
isthenow-retiredHonorableLaJuneLange63whoservedinHennepinCountyasapublic
defenderFourthJudicialCourtjudgehandingcivilandcriminalcasesandcontinuesto
beanadvocateforjusticeThroughouthercareersheservedasapillarforunderstanding
theintersectionalityofraceandgenderwithinthejudicialsystemplacinghighvalueon
equityAsacongregationandasalliesofracialjusticeweshouldcontinuetopromotethe
leadershipofwomenwhoembodythecharacteristicsofJudgeLange
Family amp FaithAfterlisteningcloselytothefamiliesofincarceratedindividualswediscoveredsome
keythemesoneofwhichwastheimportanceofstudyingandstoppingcyclesoffamily
incarcerationpovertyandabuseWhenaskedtoprovidesomeexamplesoneparticipant
sharedthispersonalstoryabouthisownlifeAsateenageboyheremembershisincar-
ceratedfatherrepeatedlytellinghimthatheneededtostayoutoftroubleHedismissed
theadvicebecausehesawhisfatherasahypocritemdashrdquodoasIsaynotasIdordquoManyyears
laterasanadultthismanrecalledtellinghischildrenthesamethingmdashfromaphonein
prisonHeacknowledgedhisfrustrationthatthesechildrenwouldignorehisadvicejustas
hehadignoredhisfatherrsquosadvice
HowdoyoubreakthiscycleWehavealreadytalkedaboutsystemicfixesthatprovidea
safetynetforpeopleatriskofperpetuatinggenerationalincarcerationHoweverasafaith
communitywemustrecognizeourroleinprovidingsupportbothforthefamiliesofthose
incarceratedandthoseinprison
Dataexiststosupporthowimportantitisforpeopleinprisontomaintainalinktotheir
homecongregationInNovember2011astudybytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrec-
tionsfoundthatformerly-incarceratedpersonswere13lesslikelytorecidivateifthey
receivedvisitorswhileinprisonldquoVisitsfromsiblingsin-lawsfathersandclergywerethe
mostbeneficialinloweringrecidivismrdquo64Thisstudyfoundclergyvisitstohavethegreatest
effectThePrisonFellowship65isonesuccessfulexampleofaninitiativetobringtheloveof
63 Tyner Artika (2016) Women Leading Change Profile of the Honorable LaJune Lange Ms JD httpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomen-leading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange 64 MNDOC ldquoPrison Visitation Research Briefrdquo Department of Corrections httpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-filesPublications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf 65 The Prison Fellowship (2017) httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
28
Christandthefellowshipofchurchcongregationstogetherwiththosewithintheincarcer-
ationsystemThroughtrainingandinspiringchurchcommunitiesthePrisonFellowship
workstorestoreaprisonerrsquosfaithempowerprisonwardensofferministriestofamilies
supportsuccessfulreentryandadvocateforrestorativejusticereform
Thesefindingsshouldchallengeusasacongregationtoconsiderhowwemightbecome
moreinvolvedHowcanwehelpindividualsstrengthenorfindtheirfaithwhileinprison
Howcanweworktocreatealinktotheworldoutsidetheirprisonwallsandthenbethere
forthemwhentheyre-entersocietyInkeepingwithourdenominationalcalltohealrela-
tionshipsweshouldfocusonwhatcanweteachaboutforgivenessgracehopeandlove
PART 4 IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND INCARCERATION
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
29
Our recommendations are the result of the deep listening and extensive study
we have done over a period of nine months They reflect what we learned and
lay the foundation for continued action for this congregation and others in
the community as we seek changes in the current criminal justice system Each
of these recommendations is supported by the content of the report
bull Combating the ldquosilo effectrdquo We strongly urge our legislatorsmdashcollaborating across sectorsmdashto craft legislation that better integrates supportive services and reduces bureaucracy in the criminal justice system FromthebeginningofourworkwehaverecognizedthatthereisnoshortageofindividualsandorganizationswhoarewillingandreadytohelpindividualswhoarecaughtupinawebofhomelessnessmentalillnessandincarcerationThereishoweveranequallycomplexwebofbureaucracythatsurroundstheorganizationsprovidingsupportThustheorganizationsprovidinghelpandsupportsufferaldquosiloeffectrdquowhichpreventsthemfromreachingthepeopletheyaretryingtohelpWeurgecreativesolutionstoreducethisldquosiloeffectrdquosothatorganizationscanshareinformationwitheachotherandbeconnectedwithpeoplewhoneedhelpOneexampleofanattempttoreducethissiloeffectisHennepinCountyrsquosdecisiontoplaceasocialworkerinthecourtroomonthein-custodydowntownmisdemeanorcalendarsothatthesocialworkercanconnectdefendantswithresourceslikehousingassistanceandmentalhealthservicesThisisoneofthebestexampleswehaveseenofreachingacrossboundariesmdashinthiscasesocialservicestocriminallawmdashtohelpreduceincarcerationandassistthosewhoareincarcerated
bull Resources for programs that work We urge our congregation to continue to provide needed resources to one or more proven programs that specifically address issues like housing education and job initiatives for post-incarcerated individualsMostofthereasonsforhopethatwehaveseencomeintheformofprogramsthatworkmdashbothgovernmentalandnon-profitMinnesotahasnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttohelpThosewhocreateprogramsthatworkneedtobeencouragedandsupportedThebestexampleswehaveseenaretheADIinitiativeinHennepinCountytreatmentcourtsinmanyMinnesotaCountiesSimpsonHousingtheGreatRiverLandingprojectandprogramsthataddressattachmentsothatadversechildhoodexperiencesarereduced
Part 5 Recommendations amp Conclusion
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
30
bull Resources for necessary governmental programs We strongly support advocacy efforts to encourage robust government funding of the public defender treatment courts and efforts by social workers to assist incarcerated individuals MassincarcerationisaproblemofgovernmentthegovernmentspendsresourcesbothcreatingitandaddressingitWeurgefullfundingforpost-prisonprogramlegislationthatassistsresidentsforaproductivelifeafterincarceration
bull Sentencing reform We encourage our members to work for sentencing reformAshasbecomeobvioustoindividualsofallideologicalbackgroundsanycriminaljusticereformmustincludediscretionfordistrictcourtjudgesandareductionoreliminationofmandatoryminimumsentences
bull System-wide work on poverty and child protection We recommend our members engage with the larger issues of poverty and children impacted by parents in the criminal justice systemItwasapparentthroughthisprocessthatsolutionstomassincarcerationinvolvebothashort-termviewofthecriminaljusticesystemandalonger-termviewofthepovertygapthatleadstocrimeAsacongregationwehavetheresponsibilitytoaddressboththroughlegislativeadvocacyanddirectmissioninvolvementThroughournewpartnershipwithStDavidrsquosCenterforChildandFamilyDevelopmentwehavetheopportunitytobetterunderstandtheseissueseducateourselvesandothersonhowearlychildhoodeducationcanbreakthecycleofpovertyandhopefullyimpactnewgenerationsinourcommunity
Thisreportattemptstohighlightboththelevelofdespairweseewithinthecriminal
justicesystemaswellasglimmersofhopecreatedbythoseworkingonmeaningful
reformWefoundmanyreasonsforhopeandaffirmationthatmdashaspeopleoffaithmdashweare
calledtoactionOurjusticesystemservestohealsocietyafteracrimehasbeencommitted
butsentencesforthosecrimesmustdo no more harm than the crime itself Wemustensure
thatacommunitytryingtohealfromacrimedoesnotintheprocessripitselfapart
throughthecycleofpovertycreatedbyincarceration
Thisreportisaclarioncalltodo justice
PART 5 RECOMMENDATIONS amp CONCLUSION
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
31
BIBLIOGRAPHYmdashOrganizedbytopic
Please noteThisreportisacollectiveeffortanddoesnotrepresenttheindividualviewsofanyone
memberofWestminstertheSessionortheTaskForce
Race and Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice SystemFraseRichardSldquoWhatExplainsPersistentRacialDisproportionalityinMinnesotarsquosPrisonandJailPopulationsrdquoInCrimeandJusticeAReviewofResearchVol38(November202009)pp201-280
GlaudeJrEddieSDemocracyinBlackHowRaceStillEnslavestheAmericanSoulNewYorkBroadwayBooksCrownPublishingPenguinRandomHouse20162017
MuhammadKhalilGibranldquoPowerandPunishmentTwonewbooksaboutraceandcrimerdquoNewYorkTimesApril142017
NewYorkTimesEditorialBoardldquoLockedUpforBeingPoorrdquoNewYorkTimesMay52017
TheSentencingProjectldquoTheColorofJusticeRacialandEthnicDisparitiesinStatePrisonsrdquo(2016)
StevensonBryanJustMercyAStoryofJusticeandRedemptionNewYorkSpiegelampGrauRandomHousePenguinRandomHouse2014
WallisJimAmericarsquosOriginalSinRacismWhitePrivilegeandtheBridgetoaNewAmericaGrandRapidsMIBrazosPressBakerPublishingGroup2016
WestminsterTownHallForumpresentationsbyBryanStevensonandEddieGlaudeJrhttpwwwwestminsterforumorg
Reducing Incarceration in Responsible Ways
Livability CrimesAppelmanLawFirmLLC(2017)ldquoMinnesotaOpenContainerOffenserdquohttpsaacriminallawcomminnesota-dui-lawsminnesota-opencontainer-offense
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoBetterTogetherHennepinrdquohttpwwwhennepinusyour-governmentprojects-initiativesbetter-together
SerresChris(2015)ldquoAtcountyjailsocialworkershopetostoptherevolvingdoorrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomat-countyjail-social-workers-hope-to-stop-the-revolving-door
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomon-east-lake-street-proposed-change-in-punishment-for-livability-crimes-is-a-complicated-issue415528394
Detention Alternatives
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
32
HennepinCounty(2017)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativeFactSheetrdquohttpwwwhennepinuscjcc
HennepinCounty(2016)ldquoAdultDetentionInitiativerdquohttpwwwhennepinus-mediahennepinusyour-governmentleadershipdocumentsADI-Handout-October-2016pdf
Bail ReformldquoUniversityofMinnesotastudenttakesoninjusticesinbailsystemrdquoStarTribuneApril52017
MannixAndyldquoJudgeslawyerswanttofixbailsystemtokeeppooroutofjailrdquoStarTribuneApril262017
Criminalizing Mental HealthldquoLawmakerspushsolitaryreformminuskeyprotectionformentallyillrdquoStarTribuneMarch282017
MarsoAndy(2016)ldquoResearchilluminatescostofcriminalizingmentalillnessrdquoTheTopekaCapitalJournalhttpcjonlinecomnews2016-10-22research-illuminates-cost-criminalizing-mental-illness
WolffNancyandJingShildquoChildhoodandAdultTraumaExperiencesofIncarceratedPersonsandTheirRelationshiptoAdultBehavioralHealthProblemsandTreatmentrdquoInternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealthMay20129(5)1908-1926
ProbationJonsonC2010TheimpactofimprisonmentonreoffendingAmeta-analysisUnpublisheddoctoraldissertationCincinnatiOHUniversityofCincinnati
LatessaEListwanSampKoetzleDWhatWorks(andDoesnrsquot)inReducingRecidivism2015
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsOverviewtotheHousePublicSafetyandSecurityPolicyandFinanceCommitteeJanuary182017
MollJennaandPatrickPurtillldquoMinnesotamustwiseupaboutprobationreformrdquoStarTribuneApril142017
Sentencing ReformChanenDavidldquoMinncommissionvotesdowndrug-sentencingchangerdquoStarTribuneDecember302016
MannixAndyldquoMeasuretostrippowerfromMinnesotaSentencingCommissionadvancesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribuneMarch92017
HulseCarl(2017)UnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsTheNewYorkTimeshttpswwwnytimescom20170514uspoliticsjeff-sessions-criminal-sentencinghtml_r=0
BIBLIOGRAPHY
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
33
IngrahamChristopher(2017)IttookJeffSessionsjustonemonthtoturnObama-eradrugpolicyonitsheadWashingtonPosthttpswwwwashingtonpostcomnewswonkwp20170602it-took-jeff-sessions-just-one-month-to-turn-obama-era-drug-policy-on-itsheadutm_term=14c5a3604481
LopezRicardoldquoMinnesotaHouseunanimouslyapprovesdrug-sentencingreformsrdquoStarTribuneMay212016
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2015)ldquoHennepinCountyDrugCourtrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovmncourtsgovmediascao_libraryDrug20Courts4th20DistrictDrug20CourtHennepin-Drug-Court-Brochurepdf
DavidAlanSklanskylawprofessorStanfordUniversityquotedinRuizRebecca(2017)AttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyNewYorkTimeshttpsnytimn2r6Rote
StahlBrandon(2016)ldquoHennepinCountyspecialtycourtofferspathoutofhomelessnessrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-specialty-court-offers-path-out-of-homelessness405798186
StolbergSherylGayandEricLichtblauldquoSweepingFederalReviewCouldAffectConsentDecreesNationwiderdquoNewYorkTimesApril32017
USJusticeActionNetworkldquoMinnesotaLegislaturePassesSignificantReformstoDrugLaws129-0rdquoDecember2016
Specialty CourtsSmithKellyldquoHennepinCountyfocusesoninfantstobreakchildprotectioncyclerdquoStarTribuneAugust22017[FeaturesleadershiprolebyHennepinCountyDistrictJudgeandWestminsterPresbyterianChurchmemberNancyBrasel]httpwwwstartribunecomhennepin-county-focuses-on-infants-to-break-child-protection-cycle439097153
Early InterventionDeAngelisTory(2012)ldquoHelpingAt-RiskStudentsSucceedrdquoAmericanPsychologicalAssociationwwwapaorgmonitor201202at-riskstudentsaspx
FamiliesbyDesign(2017)ldquoReactiveAttachmentDisorderrdquoNancyThomasParentinghttpwwwattachmentorgreactive-attachmentdisorder
ldquoGovernorrsquosTaskForceontheProtectionofChildrenFinalReportandRecommendationsrdquo(March2015)StarTribunehttpstmediastartribunecomdocumentsDraft+report+by+Governorrsquos+Task+Force+on+the+Protection+of+Childrenpdf
LeagueofWomenVoters(2014)InterruptingthePrisonPipelineYoutubehttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=NebxYWeusAg
NdCAD(2016)ldquoParentPowerrdquohttpndcadorgportfolio=children-needed-family
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
34
SAMHSA(2017)AdverseChildhoodExperienceshttpswwwsamhsagovcaptpracticing-effective-preventionprevention-behavioralhealthadverse-childhood-experiences
StahlBrandon(2014)ldquoLessonsfromchildabusedeathsgounheededinMinnesotardquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomlessons-from-child-abuse-deaths-go-unheeded-in-minnesota282031701
WebMD(2017)ReactiveAttachmentDisorderhttpwwwwebmdcommental-healthmental-health-reactive-attachmentdisorder
Opioid Addiction and the Criminal Justice SystemBalkoRadleyldquoIncarcerationisthewrongwaytofightopioidoverdosesrdquoTheWashingtonPostApril182017
Improving the Lives of People Impacted by Crime and Incarceration
Solitary ConfinementLastDaysofSolitaryPBSrsquoShowFrontline41817
MannixAndyldquoExtremeIsolationScarsStateInmatesrdquoMinneapolisStarTribune12416
MannixAndyldquoMinnesotajoinednationalpartnershiptoreducesolitaryconfinementrdquoStarTribuneDecember192016
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoRestrictiveHousingProgressandFutureDirectionsforMinnesotaPrisonsrdquoJanuary2017
ldquoSolitaryconfinementLegislationtakesstepstowardessentialreformrdquoCommentarybystaterepre-sentativeNickZerwasStarTribuneApril42017
Programming and EducationMinnesotaDepartmentofCorrections(2015)ldquoEducationalProgrammingEvaluationrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles751392062383MnDOC_Educational_Programming_Evaluation_DOC_Website_Finalpdf
MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsldquoFactSheetandAdultProgrammingrdquohttpwwwdocstatemnuspagesfiles961459343959Education_Fact_Sheet_and_Adult_Programming_Feb2016pdf
MumfordTracy(2015)ShouldprisonershaveaccesstoacollegeeducationMPRNewshttpswwwmprnewsorgstory20151103bcst-college-courses-for-prisoners
BIBLIOGRAPHY
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
35
Post-Incarceration Housing Employment and ReentryGreatRiverLandinganaffordablehousingprojectofBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativehttpwwwbeaconinterfaithorgwhat-we-dohousinggreat-river-landing
ldquoBetterFuturesFitwithPewResearch13StrategiesforSuccessfulSupervisionandReentryrdquoUnpublishedpaperGreatRiverLandingTaskForceApril272017
GriffithsCurtYvonDandurandandDanielleMurdochldquoTheSocialReintegrationofOffendersandCrimePreventionrdquoTheInternationalCentreforCriminalLawReformandCriminalJusticePolicyApril2007
ldquoOverviewProposedlsquoUnlockingOpportunitiesrsquolegislationrdquoUnpublishedpaperBeaconInterfaithHousingCollaborativeNovember82016[ReGreatRiverLandingproject]
RubinRobertEldquoHowtoHelpFormerInmatesThriverdquoNewYorkTimesJune32016
WilderResearchldquoHomelessadultsandchildreninMinnesotardquoApril2015
Ban the BoxMDHR(2017)ldquoBantheBoxLawrdquoDepartmentofHumanRightshttpsmngovmdhremployerscriminal-backgroundbanboxoverview-privempjsp
NAACPldquoNAACPCelebratesPassageoflsquoBantheBoxrsquoinMinnesotardquohttpsdonatenaacporgnewsentrynaacp-celebrates-passage-ofban-the-box-in-minnesota
RodriguezandChristman(2015)ldquoTheFairChanceBantheBoxToolkitrdquoNationalEmploymentLawProjecthttpwwwnelporgpublicationthe-fair-chance-ban-the-box-toolkit
ExpungementJacksonSharyl(2015)ldquoNewMinnesotalawmakesiteasiertoexpungecriminalrecordsrdquoStarTribunehttpwwwstartribunecomnew-minnesota-law-makes-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records289846451
MinnesotaJudicialBranch(2011)ldquoStep-by-StepGuideHowtoasktheCourttoExpunge(Seal)yourCriminalCourtRecordrdquohttpwwwmncourtsgovDocuments50PublicSelf_Help_CenterStep_by_Step_Guide_to_Expungements_FINAL_on_webpdf
TynerArtika(2016)WomenLeadingChangeProfileoftheHonorableLaJuneLangeMsJDhttpsms-jdorgblogarticlewomenleading-change-profile-of-the-honorable-lajune-lange
Family and FaithMNDOCldquoPrisonVisitationResearchBriefrdquoDepartmentofCorrectionshttpswwwdocstatemnuspagesfileslarge-files
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
36
Publications11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Finalpdf63ThePrisonFellowship(2017)httpswwwprisonfellowshiporg
Policy and Legal ChallengesHagerEliAlysiaSantoandSimoneWeichselbaumldquoEightwaysJeffSessionscouldchangecriminaljusticerdquoTheMarshallProjectNewsNovember182016
HulseCarlldquoUnityWasEmergingonSentencingThenCameJeffSessionsrdquoNewYorkTimesMay142017
KellerBillldquoWill2017betheyearofcriminaljusticereformrdquoNewYorkTimesDecember162016RuizRebeccaRldquoAttorneyGeneralOrdersTougherSentencesRollingBackObamaPolicyrdquoNewYorkTimesMay122017
Presbyterian Church USAldquoTheChurchandtheCriminalJusticeSystemPublicPolicyStatementsofthePresbyterianChurch(USA)1952-2002rdquo
PresbyterianCriminalJusticeNetworkhttpwwwpresbyterianmissionorgministriesphewapcjn
ldquoResolutiononRestorativeJusticerdquoApprovedbythe214thGeneralAssembly(2002)PresbyterianChurch(USA)
Additional ResourcesAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionAmericanCriminalLawReformProject
ChildressJamesFldquoRighteousnessrdquoWestminsterDictionaryofChristianEthicsJamesFChildressandJohnMcQuarrieeditorsPhiladelphiaWestminsterPress1983507
ldquoFinalReportofthePresidentrsquosTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicingrdquo(May2015)httpscopsusdojgovpdftaskforcetaskforce_finalreportpdf
ForresterDuncanBldquoJusticerdquoDictionaryofEthicsTheologyandSocietyPaulBarryClarkeandAndrewLinzeyeditorsLondonRoutledge1996502-3
GoffmanAliceldquoHowwersquoreprimingsomekidsforcollege--andothersforprisonrdquoTEDTalkMay2015
HudsonDavid(2015)PresidentObamaldquoOurCriminalJusticeSystemIsnrsquotasSmartasItShouldBerdquoObamaWhiteHouseArchivesblogJuly152015
MannixAndyldquoBidtoreopenprivateprisoninwesternMinngetsnewlookatCapitolrdquoStarTribuneMarch212017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
37
MinnesotaCorrectionsAssociationldquo2017LegislativeAgendardquoOctober252016httpwwwmn-caorg
MinnesotaSecondChanceCoalitionhttpswwwfacebookcomMNSecondChanceCoalition
NolanPatldquoDearPresidentTrumpHerersquosHowtoGetRightonCrimemdashPart1rdquoTheMarshallProjectJan172017
PewCharitableTrustPublicSafetyPerformanceProjectpodcastldquoLessIncarcerationLessCrimerdquoMarch212017
PrisonPolicyInitiativeldquoMinnesota[State]Profilerdquo2012
RobinaInstituteofCriminalLawandCriminalJusticeUniversityofMinnesota
SchultzElizaandRebeccaVallasCenterforAmericanProgressldquoSixStatesLeadingtheChargeonSecond-ChancePoliciesrdquoApril72017
StraussValerieldquoParentsrsquoincarcerationiskeypartofeducationgaprdquoWashingtonPostMarch152017
TakeActionMinnesotaldquoJusticeforAllrdquo(JFA)campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES
38
Appendix A ExecutiveSummaryhttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803EXECUTIVESUMMARY_
CJRTF_FINALpdf
Appendix B ListeningSessionwiththeWestminsterPresbyterianChurchCongregation
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803CongregationalListening-
Sessionsdocx-1pdf
Appendix C ListeningSessionwithHennepinCountyJudgeshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803HennepinCountyJudge-
ListeningSessionpdf
Appendix D ListeningSessionwithFormerlyIncarceratedIndividualsampFamilieshttpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwithFor-merlyIncarceratedIndividualsandFamiliespdf
Appendix E ListeningSessionwithBetterFutures
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803ListeningSessionwith-
BetterFuturespdf
Appendix F SelectionofJusticeTextsfromtheBible
httpwwwwestminstermplsorgwp-contentuploads201803JusticeTextspdf
APPENDICES