Your Support for Corrections Ombuds Bill is Critical
We are writing you because your state Senator is on the Ways and Means Committee that must make a decision on the Corrections Ombuds bill SB 6154 by next Tuesday, Feb. 9.
- Passage through the Senate Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Senator Andy Hill (R; LD45), is critical. Thus, financial issues related to the Corrections Ombuds bill need to be addressed:
- Can you send an email making the following key argument?
- An Ombuds office can help resolve disputes between prisoners and the Department of Corrections that would otherwise lead to expensive litigation. Thus, the Ombuds Office can be a major costsaver in the long run.
- Contact information for Ways and Means Senators is given below.
- The Corrections Ombuds bill SB 6154 passed out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee with a bipartisan vote of six favorable votes out of a possible seven (on Feb.3).
FCWPP strongly supports this bill because a Corrections Ombuds office can help make lives better for offenders and their families enmeshed in the criminal justice system. We have worked on an Ombuds bill for many years. We need to seize this opportunity to get it passed and need your help.
- An independent Corrections Ombuds office contracted to a non-profit organization would act as a liaison between the Department of Corrections, prisoners and their families, and the public, promoting understanding of the rights and responsibilities of offenders.
- Prisons and prisoners are out of the public eye. The Ombuds Office would have the authority to visit prisons, provide information about conditions, and make specific recommendations.
Thank you! Criminal Justice Work Group ——————————