[BES Friends] BES opposes proposed youth jail; joins OYO coalition

[Emil Volcheck]

Dear friends of the Baltimore Ethical Society,

The Ethical Action Committee is pleased to announce that the Baltimore
Ethical Society has approved the proposal to take an official position
on juvenile justice reform in Baltimore.  Specifically, BES

  * Joined the coalition Organizations for Youth Opportunities (OYO)

    http://www.oyobaltimore.org/

  * Supports the coalition goals to oppose construction of a new
    Baltimore City jail for youth charged as adults and to allocate the
    proposed jail funds in a way that improves public safety and
    outcomes for youth

  * Supports the coalition slogan "Recreate – Don't Incarcerate"

Thanks to Karen and Don Helm for gathering signatures and making phone
calls and to all the members who supported the proposal.  Karen will
represent BES to the OYO coalition and will keep us informed about
opportunities to volunteer.  If you would like to be kept informed,
please reply to this email or contact Karen at karenrhelm at gmail.com .

Opposition to the proposed youth jail is increasing.  This week, the
Baltimore Sun wrote an editorial titled "A Broken Juvenile Justice
System," which states "Youthful offenders at Baltimore Detention Center won't
be better off if the state builds a new $70 million juvenile jail; the
whole policy of charging minors as adults needs rethinking."  You can
read the full story here:

   http://ur1.ca/9xawt

Best wishes,

--Emil

--
Emil Volcheck, President
Baltimore Ethical Society
president at bmorethical.org