| Resolution Number: | 2000-B055 |
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| Title: | Reaffirm Criminal Justice System Reform |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm that the Episcopal Church at all levels become active at local, state and federal levels on public policy decisions affecting the growing prison industrial complex; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church call for a moratorium to the posting of prisoners outside their home states and territories; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church call for a moratorium on further prison construction and the use of private prisons, except where a local diocese discerns the need to do otherwise for pastoral reasons, and call for appropriate changes in the laws requiring mandatory sentencing for nonviolent and property crimes.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 2000 (New York: General Convention, 2001), p. 365. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | |
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| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on Social and Urban Affairs |
House of Deputies
Original Text of Resolution:
(B055, formerly B002)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church call for a moratorium on further prison construction and the use of private prisons, and for appropriate changes in the laws requiring mandatory sentencing for nonviolent and property crimes; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church at all levels, especially the Executive Council and the several Dioceses, become active at local, state, and federal levels on public policy decisions affecting the growing prison industrial complex; and be it further
Resolved, That the individual Church members through their parishes and dioceses be called on to become conversant with their state laws regarding criminal justice and prison concerns and to become active in the reform of the criminal justice system.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, The 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church call for a moratorium on further prison construction and the use of private prisons, and for appropriate changes in the laws requiring mandatory sentencing for nonviolent and property crimes; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church at all levels, especially the Executive Council and the several Dioceses, reaffirm that the Episcopal Church become active at local, state and federal levels on public policy decisions affecting the growing prison industrial complex; and be it further
Resolved, That the individual Church members through their parishes and dioceses be called on to become conversant with their state laws regarding criminal justice and prison concerns and to become active in the reform of the criminal justice system that the Episcopal Church call for a moratorium to the posting of prisoners outside their home states and territories; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church call for a moratorium on further prison construction and the use of private prisons except where a local diocese discerns the need to do otherwise for pastoral reasons and call for appropriate changes in the laws requiring mandatory sentencing for nonviolent and property crimes.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #208)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #34 on HD Message #208 on Resolution B055 (Criminal Justice System Reform) and moved concurrence.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #288)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 14.
| Abstract: | The 73rd General Convention reaffirms the Church's involvement in prison reform, and calls for a moratorium on prisoner transfers, prison construction, private prisons, and mandatory sentencing. |
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| Notes: | Resolution 2000-B055, which was originally adopted by the House of Bishops as Resolution B002, was re-referred by the House of Deputies to a Legislative Committee. Because the electronic reporting system used at General Convention did not allow a resolution to be returned to the floor with the same number, B002 was reported back to the House with this new resolution number (B005). |