How do we keep our kids out of jail? Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Town Hall
A conversation with lawmakers, policy advocates, and impacted people about Virginia’s criminal legal system and SWVA communities and families.
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM EDT
DUBLIN, VIRGINIA — On Friday June 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM EDT, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, advocates, and impacted people will come together at New River Community College in Richardson Auditorium in Rooker Hall–5251 State Rd 373, Dublin, Virginia–to discuss public safety and how Virginia’s criminal legal system is impacting Southwest Virginia communities and families. The event is sponsored by several Virginia organizations, American for Prosperity Virginia, Justice Forward Virginia, and SALT(Social Action Linking Together).
WHAT:
David Smith, Senior Advisor on Criminal Justice for Social Action Linking Together (SALT), and Rob Poggenklass, Executive Director of Justice Forward Virginia, will moderate a discussion with Virginia lawmakers, candidates, advocates, and impacted people about Virginia’s criminal legal system and how it impacts Southwest Virginia communities and families.
Speakers will discuss their own personal system involvement, how the current policies in place impact public safety, alternatives to jail and treatment programs, and new proposals that could improve public safety outcomes in the region.
There will be an opportunity for members of the press to ask questions and connect with Town Hall panelists for follow-up interviews.
WHO:
Senator John Edwards, Virginia State Senator 21st District
Lindsay Phipps, Chief Public Defender for the City of Radford and the Counties of Bland, Pulaski, and Wythe
Reverend Ben Knotts, Legislative Director of Americans for Prosperity Virginia
Rob Poggenklass, Executive Director of Justice Forward Virginia
David Smith, Senior Advisor on Criminal Justice for Social Action Linking Together (SALT)
WHEN:
Friday, June 16, 2023 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
REGISTRATION:
None. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP/MEDIA CONTACT:
Rob Poggenklass, info@justiceforwardva.com
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Americans for Prosperity Virginia Americans for Prosperity believes freedom and opportunity are the keys to unleashing prosperity for all. They are a community of millions of concerned citizens advocating for solutions based on proven principles to tackle the country's most critical challenges.
Justice Forward Virginia is a non-partisan advocacy organization created to bring attention to the urgent need for criminal justice reform in the Commonwealth -- at the most fundamental level -- and to advance legislation for comprehensive reforms to Virginia’s criminal justice system.
SALT Social Action Linking Together (SALT) is a network of persons in Virginia embracing the principle that “The justice of a society can be measured by how the most vulnerable members of that society are faring and being treated.” This principle can be found in all the great religious traditions and inspires SALT members to propose and shape fair public social policies through our education of policy makers and advocacy for the poor and powerless.