Quaker Voice Alert: Our Ombuds Legislation

 Friends,

Our high-priority bill HB 1889 — to establish an Independent Corrections ombuds — is now poised for a final vote in the state Senate.  It has passed the House and been voted out of the Senate Rules Committee. If it passes the Senate then it will be brought to the governor for signature to finally be made law. Please email or phone your senator asking for a vote in support of HB 1889 in the full Senate.

A sample message, which you can send as is, or preferably modify to be more personal, is given below. You can find your senator and their contact information using your address here.

Thank you!
Quaker Voice Criminal Justice Working Group

Sample message:

I respectfully urge you to vote for HB 1889 for an Independent Corrections Ombuds, when it comes before the full Senate.  It has passed the House and been voted out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

An independent ombuds position would provide transparency and oversight with the Department of Corrections.  This bill is important to me because an independent ombuds would bring to light and help resolve concerns that arise among incarcerated persons, their families, and the staff.  As a Quaker, my advocacy for an independent ombuds position is the contemporary expression of our historical advocacy for prison reform.

Thank you for all that you can do!

Sincerely,
[your name]