Justice Day 2020
REFORM to Sponsor Justice Day in Georgia
February 27th, REFORM will sponsor Justice Day 2020, hosted by the Georgia Justice Reform Partnership.
This year’s theme for Justice Day is “Focus on the Future.” The programming is designed to advance the message of opportunity, dignity, and redemption for directly impacted individuals.
The day-long event will include leaders in the criminal justice reform movement, and directly impacted people and their families, who will lead the program’s lobbying efforts.
Understanding Probation in Georgia
Today 1 in 18 people in Georgia is on probation or parole — roughly 4 times the national average. This is largely due to the state’s criminalization of a multitude of non-violent offenses which result in misdemeanor probation, as well as lengthy probation sentences.
Georgians reentering society endure a second phase of incarceration, due to long, complex and expensive probation sentences.
In some cases, Georgians are placed on probation, simply because they didn’t have enough money to pay off a traffic ticket on the day they went to court. Those cases usually come with monthly probation fees of $35 to $40 — even when supervision involves nothing more than accepting payments. Even nonviolent, first-time offenders can spend decades on supervised probation in Georgia.
“…first-time offenders can spend decades on supervised probation in Georgia.”
A 2017 study completed by the Council of State Governments found that even after 5 years on supervised probation, most Georgians have completed the required conditions of their sentences, however, they remain on probation due to outstanding fines and fees.
A staggering two-thirds of prison admissions in Georgia are the result of parole or probation violations. Many of these violations are not due to criminal activity, but rather technical violations, such as missed appointments or not updating a phone number.
Technical violations, in particular, are a key priority for REFORM. Founded by Rapper Meek Mill and co-chaired by entrepreneur Michael Rubin, REFORM was inspired by Mill’s own experience, after the Philadelphia native was sentenced to two to four years in prison in November 2017 for technical violations to his probation.
In addition, Georgia has criminalized a multitude of traffic violations, that many states treat simply as civil infractions, such as operating a vehicle with a broken taillight, changing lines without a turn signal, or playing music in car stereo too loudly.
REFORM is proud to sponsor Justice Day 2020, and to work with advocates and formerly incarcerated people across the state to promote second chances for impacted Georgians.
#JusticeDay2020 allows Georgians impacted by the justice system a platform to share their stories — and an opportunity to tell lawmakers that there is still a dire need for criminal justice reform. Attendees are encouraged to support our brothers and sisters behind bars by donating towards the book drive, or soap & shampoo drive.
More information on the event, as well as a Livestream, can be found at justiceday365.com.
