NCJ Number
56122
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
LOBBYING EFFORTS ON THE BEHALF OF PRISONER'S AND EX-OFFENDERS' FAMILIES ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS STUDY OF CITIZENS UNITED FOR THE REHABILITATION OF ERRANTS (CURE).
Abstract
CONCEIVED AS A STATEWIDE LOBBY IN TEXAS IN 1972, CURE HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR COUNTLESS VISTS TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, A CONTINUOUS VOLUME OF MAIL SENT TO PRISONERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS, AND THREE STATE CONVENTIONS ON PENAL REFORM. IN ADDITIONAL, CURE SHARES RESPONSIBILITY FOR A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY ON PRISON REFORM, THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST BLACK AND WOMAN TO THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLE, CREATION OF A COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS, DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE PROBATION SYSTEM, AND A NEAR MORATORIUM ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION IN THE STATE. CURE HAS LOBBLED SUCCESSFULLY FOR LEGISLATION INVOLVING INCREASING FUNDS FOR RELEASE MONEY AND INTEGRATING PRISONS. A CONSIDERABLE PART OF CURE'S LOBBYING EFFORTS INVOLVE TESTIFYING BEFORE COMMITTEES, CALLING LOCAL CHAPTERS TO PRESSURE LEGISLATORS TO VOTE IN LINE WITH CURE'S POSITIONS, AND STAYING INFORMED OF BILLS AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS CURE MONITORS THE VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. ALTHOUGH CURE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ORGANIZING NUMEROUS LOCAL CHAPTERS, IT HOPES TO ORGANIZE THREE SPECIAL GROUPS: (1) AN EX-CONVICT GROUP THAT WOULD SEEK FEDERAL FUNDS FOR A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES, (2) A YOUNG ATTORNEY AND WRIT WRITER GROUP THAT WOULD BE FUNDED FOR LAWSUITS, MECHANIZE FIELD WORK, (4) INITIATE CONTACT VISITING, AND PRISON REFORM, CURE HOPES TO (1) SECURE A WAGE FOR PRISONERS, (2) REMOVE INEFFECTIVE OFFICIALS, (3) MECHANIZE FIELD WORK, (4) INITIATE CONTACT VISITING, AND (5) INCREASE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN DECISIONMAKING POSITIONS. CURE'S CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)