Women in Criminal Justice Reform: Support, Health, and Family Reintegration.
This act aims to improve the treatment of women within the criminal justice system by addressing their specific needs. It introduces changes in arrest procedures, reforms the bail system, offers alternatives to incarceration, and enhances prison conditions to support family and societal reintegration. The goal is to reduce trauma and improve opportunities for a successful return to normal life after contact with the law.
Key points
Child Protection at Arrest: Officers must allow parents to arrange child care before detention, unless abuse or neglect is suspected.
Law Enforcement Training: Mandatory training for officers on women's specific needs, including trauma, domestic violence, and child care issues.
Alternatives to Incarceration: Expansion of pretrial diversion programs offering support for employment, housing, healthcare, and therapy, instead of imprisonment.
Improved Prison Healthcare: Ensuring access to specialized gynecological and dental care, and screenings for women, including pregnant and lactating individuals.
Support for Incarcerated Mothers: Expanding access to programs that allow mothers to maintain ties with their children and reside together in specialized facilities.
Conspiracy Sentencing Reform: Limiting penalties for drug conspiracy to be proportionate to an individual's actual involvement, aiming to prevent harsh sentences for less culpable individuals.
Increased Judicial Discretion: Judges will have greater authority to impose lower sentences, especially when defendants fear for their safety or family's safety, or when prosecutors fail to demonstrate useful information.
Reentry Reform: Ensuring that residential reentry centers and supervision programs are tailored to women's needs, including allowing child visitation and providing safe conditions for victims of violence.
Expired
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