Updates
The jail population is a bit higher in may in June (roughly 150 to low 160s), which may just be due to typical summer increase in activity. Reports on events attended included the recent presentation on Pedestrian Stop Data (a Power Point from that presentation has been added to the previous post I had on it). They also discussed the Juneteenth BPNJ table and outreach work.
There was discussion of Electronic Monitoring and the Challenging E-Carceration campaign. There will be an event coming up in Chicago about challenging Electronic Monitoring in Cook County that people from the group will be carpooling to attend. People were encouraged to check out a new blog on the subject: #NoDigitalPrisons. Concerns were raised about the pace of technology and the nonchalant or malicious use of such tracking and surveillance applications versus any real value towards criminal justice goals. As devices get smaller, more functional, and more invasive (from chipping people like pets or advancements in nanotechnology) the civil rights issues continue to grow.
Reforms to criminal justice fines and fees were discussed. A complicated new bill addressing the subject was highlighted in an article referenced in that conversation: Illinois Takes First Step in Criminal Justice Debt Reform With Passage of HB 4594- The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act.
A few other topics were touched upon, but not substantively due to waiting on more information, responses, or relevant members' next attendance.
Projects
A number of possible future projects were discussed as well as the resources needed versus those available to carry out. The cyclical nature of this university town has a lot less manpower and resources over the summer due to the transient student population. In the short term more focused work on preparing for outreach at CU Day and a possible future local Narcan training project were discussed. More long term projects that would need more manpower resources or collaboration were discussed for a community brake light repair project and a bail fund project.
The brake light repair project would be based on a similar idea in New Orleans. that addresses some of the high costs of low income living and avoiding additional traffic stops in areas with inequity in criminal justice practices. The bail fund project would be part of growing efforts in the United States to deal with unfair bail practices that deny justice and fairness to the accused without resources. Where small infractions they may never even be convicted of can result in crippling economic ramifications as well as long and unnecessary jailing.
A possible community safety night was discussed, based on an Oakland program to bring communities together and mitigate the pressure towards and dangers of over-policing.
Politics
The Champaign County Sheriff's race has a new Democratic candidate that demanded a look at possible future scenarios and a discussion on where the candidates stand on the issues and electoral environment and possible reception. Immigration issues locally and nationally may intersect more and candidates appear to be pro-actively attempting to paint themselves as reasonable and moderate. That strategy may neither appeal to or move the more passionate partisans and ideologues of either side. It could, however, butter up the middle in a "go along to get along" Midwestern town that's desperate for normalcy in abnormal times. I might just be projecting my own concerns there, so take that as you will.
Canvassing and voter registration events are happening for a lot of the local candidates as we're now less than 150 days to the election. The protest against ICE and its heavy handed new mandate in town was discussed. A suggestion to be aware that if anyone joins other groups in the July 4th parade, they may not appreciate signs for other groups being displayed. Check first.
Next meeting
July 11th at 7pm, due to the July 4th holiday interrupting public transportation service.
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