The People's Tribunal: Reflections From Our Executive Director
On October 7, 2023, the People’s Tribunal, a group of incarcerated people, returning citizens, loved ones and allies, convened at the Richmond Convention Center under a single unifying premise: that each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. The idea that basic human dignity cannot be forfeited has long been ignored in Virginia’s criminal legal system, especially its prisons, where human rights are routinely violated. For too long, this mistreatment has been ignored or shrugged off by those in Virginia with the power to address it.
The People’s Tribunal shed light on the darkness of Virginia’s correctional system–among legislators, policymakers, prosecutors, the judiciary and the public at large. On October 7, this audience heard from people directly impacted by the abhorrent conditions in Virginia’s prisons, jails and detention centers. They heard heart-wrenching stories of inhumane treatment by overworked prison officials; of inedible meals and substandard health care; of arbitrary security classifications that result in isolation and solitary confinement. And they spoke of the most tragic outcomes of these abominable conditions, when people are brought to their breaking point: disease, serious mental illness, homicide, and suicide.
Virginia spends $1.5 billion a year on its prison system. The Department of Corrections is one of the largest and most expensive government agencies we have. And this is what we have to show for it. Virginia can and simply must do better.
A department of corrections fails in its mission when it does nothing to correct the issues that led to offending behavior. As it stands, the Virginia Department of Corrections is doing virtually nothing to adequately prepare the people in its custody for their return to society. Nearly everyone serving time in a jail and the vast majority of people in prison will eventually return to their communities. They should have opportunities to get better, not worse.
What does meaningful change look like? Here are just some of the legislative proposals supported by Justice Forward Virginia and its allies, which will reduce unnecessary incarceration, limit extreme sentences, restore our commitment to redemption and second chances, and improve the conditions of those housed in Virginia’s correctional facilities:
Second Look and other post-conviction relief for rehabilitated individuals;
End mandatory minimums;
Provide alternatives to incarceration, such as evidence-based community violence prevention programs and rebuilding Virginia’s behavioral health infrastructure;
Strengthen indigent defense;
Explore a system of court-funded representation for post-conviction and incarceration-related civil rights claims;
Protect the extraordinary progress made to reform Virginia’s criminal legal system since 2020.
There is an important election in November 2023, when Virginians will elect all 140 members of the General Assembly. As often happens in elections, the issues discussed here have barely been mentioned by either party. They need to be. And with the powerful advocacy of the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality and events like the People’s Tribunal, we are confident they will be.
Rob Poggenklass
Executive Director
Justice Forward Virginia
October 14, 2023