Criminal Justice Reform
Punitive approaches to incarceration do not have a net positive impact on society.
Crime rates in Washington have not changed since the 1980s, yet the state has spent more money confining people to prison. More families have suffered the emotional and economic consequences of a loved one’s incarceration, and low-income neighborhoods have become more deeply entrenched in poverty. Mass incarceration has not done much to improve public safety, but it has harmed the health and well-being of our communities.
How Do We Achieve This?
Although most academic researchers, correctional agencies, and members of the public have come to accept the idea that rehabilitation is possible, it is still not the underlying philosophy behind most criminal justice policies in Washington. In 1984, discretionary parole review for the possibility of early release was eliminated in Washington for all but a few categories of people. This decision was motivated by the incorrect assumption that people who commit serious or violent offenses in Washington are incapable of change.
House Bill 1131:
Expanding the Clemency & Pardons Board
Through HB 1131 legislation, WashingtonCAN is fighting to implement a racial equity lens and add community voices to the Clemency and Pardons Board review process.
Equipping the board with a racial equity lens could:
Improve the economic and social well-being of neighborhoods decimated by indiscriminate gang sweeps and over-policing
Reduce the economic burden of mass incarceration on families who are supporting their loved ones in prison and getting by in single-income households
Reduce the inequity of mass incarceration, disproportionately confining people in poverty and people of color to long sentences
Interrupt the cycle of incarceration by restoring children’s contact with their parents
Promote a criminal justice system based on rehabilitation and healing, rather than retribution and extreme punishments.
Reach out for more information including sponsors for the bill as HB 1131, and FAQs to our Political Director Waldo Waldron-Ramsey.
Governor budget request: budget for the expansion of the clemency & Pardons board
Last session we passed HB 1131, which expanded the Clemency & Pardons Board by adding five community members: a representative from a community of color, a formerly incarcerated individual, a Native American, two victims’ advocate, and a member of the faith community experienced in reentry success. This next legislation will provide the budget to fund the expansion: $16,000 for the optional stipend and per diem for board members.
Leading with the Directly Impacted
WashingtonCAN’s Political Director, Waldo Waldron-Ramsey, was released in 2018 after a 33-year excessive sentence. He started with WashingtonCAN as a member shortly after his release and is an incredible asset to the team.
Waldo Waldron-Ramsey, Political Director for WashingtonCAN, talking with David, a recently released member of WACAN, at Lobby Day 2024. David had spent years watching Waldo on TVW while incarcerated and was excited to meet someone he looked up to while inside.
Criminal Justice reform Stories
Grassroots Achievements
2024
Worked with Senate sponsors to pass a budget proviso for Expanding the Clemency & Pardons Board, removing a prominent barrier to passing any legislation hopefully making an easier pathway to passing HB 2478 in 2025.
2020
Fought for criminal justice reform and led the fight to pass Senate Bill 6164 allowing resentence or release for incarcerated individuals whose original sentence was not proportionate to the seriousness of the crime committed.
2018
Helped pass the WA Fair Chance Act protecting job applicants with a criminal record, prohibiting the automaticatic exclusion of applicants before determining that they are otherwise qualified for the position.