Make the Call for Criminal Justice Reform (Updated)
06.23.10
[Updated 6/23/2010 at 4 p.m.: Senate Majority Leader Reid and Senator Durbin have heard you loud and clear! We received word that they heard your many calls and are aware that the National Criminal Justice Commission Act has widespread support among Americans. Now it’s time to take those lawmakers off your lists and add a new one, Senator Jon Kyl, the Republican whip. We’ve updated the site, so you can
click here
to be connected directly to the Senate, or read further for how to contact Senator Kyl’s office.]
Today, Innocence Project supporters from across the country are calling leaders in the U.S. Senate to support the creation of a commission to examine our criminal justice system and recommend reforms to address the many problems we face.
Join the day of action here
, or simply dial the numbers below (after the jump).
The proposed bipartisan commission is extremely important to the Innocence Project because it would potentially examine the causes of wrongful conviction and recommend reforms to address these injustices. The commission was proposed by Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and now has more than three dozen co-sponsors in the Senate.
Your voice could help make this commission – and a badly needed review of our criminal justice system – a reality.
Please make the call today
.
Below are the three Senate leaders we’re calling on today to support the legislation, and some talking points you may find helpful.
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), 202-224-5556
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 202-224-3135
•
Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL), 202-224-9447
• Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), (202) 224-4521 (Updated 6/23/2010 at 4 p.m.)
Here’s the message we ask that you share with the Senators:
I’m calling to ask the Senator to prioritize and support immediate Senate passage of S. 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, because:
• A commission could help identify why wrongful convictions happen and how they can be prevented by looking more closely at the causes of wrongful conviction and recommending improvements that would help prevent miscarriages of justice and increase public safety.
• The increase in incarceration over the past twenty years has stretched the system beyond its limits. These high costs to taxpayers are unsustainable, especially during these times of economic downturn.
• The proposed commission would conduct a comprehensive national review – not audits of individual state systems – and would issue recommendations – not mandates – for consideration.
Learn more about the proposed commission here
.
Once you’ve made the calls, please let us know how they went, and ask your friends to join you in calling on the Senate on this critical issue today – share this message with one click via
Facebook
or
Twitter
.
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