On February 15th, 2012, Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners Organizing for Community Advancement (EPOCA), hosted a public forum entitled "Our Youth Can't Wait...3 Strikes Can." At this forum, two policy issues were presented that have significant racial and economic equity implications. Willis Center and Black Legacy are proud to be two of the many partners supporting this discussion.

EPOCA hosted this forum to raise awarenss of two important pieces of legislation that have significant racial and economic justice implications: CHINS and "3 Strikes."

The work on CHINS reform is designed to stop the pipeline of children entering the criminal justice system when they are really in need of individual and/or family supports. 

"3 Strikes" legislation exists in various forms in other states and usually sets prison and parole standards for people that are convicted three times. Many feel it is being pushed through the legislative process too quickly without the time to review the real impact of the policy. There is a push for the opportunity to see the data on the financial and social impact of "3 Strike" laws to see what the financial impact on the state and impact on people of color and people from poor communities will be.