Vision for Criminal Justice System Reform
Why Change the Grand Jury System
- Grand juries are a secret proceeding. Prosecutors have free reign. There’s no judge or a lawyer for the target or victim’s family.
- Because of the 1976 ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Tort Claims Act, Prosecutors have immunity even when knowingly and willfully presenting false evidence, false testimony, or withholding exculpatory evidence to get an indictment or conviction.
How To Change the System
- Reduce the abuse of power at the local, state, and federal level by police and investigators.
- Prevent prosecutors from using false evidence and false testimony or withholding exculpatory evidence.
- Advocating for the repeal of immunity granted in the federal tort claims act.
- Extend the right to counsel to victims and targets of a grand jury.
Advocates 4 Justice works with former and current state Attorneys General, governors and state legislatures, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Congress, and the office of the U.S. President to repeal the immunity granted in the Federal Tort Claims Act and to extend the right to counsel to victims and targets of a grand jury.
Vision for Rehabilitation
Of the 2.0+ million individuals presently incarcerated in the US, Advocates 4 Justice will initially focus education and rehabilitation on those individuals who have prison sentences of one to ten years. The plan for reentry should begin the first day a person is incarcerated. Each person should be evaluated and assessed for their mental status, education level, innate and learned skills, etc. When this program is proven, it should be offered to all people who are incarcerated where applicable.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) has begun to implement the First Step Act that was signed into law in 2018. This act was designed to ensure that all people who have been sentenced in a Federal Court to serve time for a crime have the skills necessary to succeed when released. Though this act is an excellent start, there is presently no data to confirm or deny that it is successful nor is there a plan to track the result. Adequate funding has not been available for even partial implementation.
The First Step Act has several key components, with the first being an individual assessment in 13 areas directly impacting a person’s ability to live a healthy and productive life after their release from prison. But without proper funding and trained staff, it is indeed just a “first step” and has a long way to go before its success can be measured or realized.
Advocates 4 Justice will work hand-in-hand with the FBOP to expand their program and offerings to more people under their watch.