Say No to $1 Billion for Federal Prison Construction

The Issue

INFO ONLY -- THE FINAL BILL DROPPED FUNDING FOR PRISON CONSTRUCTION

The Senate's version of the economic stimulus package includes $1 Billion for buildings and facilities for the federal prison system. This funding comes at a time when we need to be shrinking prison population. The United States with only 5% of the world's population has 25% of the world's prisoners. Let's stimulate our economy by reducing the prison population and encouraging job growth.

THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED THIS ACTION! I'LL CANCEL IT IN A FEW DAYS.

avatar of the starter
william newmillerPetition StarterI'm a retired Air Force pilot, former member of the FBI, and current English professor at the Air Force Academy, where I've taught for a total of 25 years. I have a passion for criminal justice reform. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. Too many of them are innocent. Too many of them suffer from mental illness. All of them are warehoused in a system that nurtures recidivism. There's not space here to list all the changes that need to be made. My hope is that once people become aware of some of the changes that are needed, they'll be willing to work for those changes. If we all raise our voices together, we can make a difference.
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This petition had 279 supporters

The Issue

INFO ONLY -- THE FINAL BILL DROPPED FUNDING FOR PRISON CONSTRUCTION

The Senate's version of the economic stimulus package includes $1 Billion for buildings and facilities for the federal prison system. This funding comes at a time when we need to be shrinking prison population. The United States with only 5% of the world's population has 25% of the world's prisoners. Let's stimulate our economy by reducing the prison population and encouraging job growth.

THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED THIS ACTION! I'LL CANCEL IT IN A FEW DAYS.

avatar of the starter
william newmillerPetition StarterI'm a retired Air Force pilot, former member of the FBI, and current English professor at the Air Force Academy, where I've taught for a total of 25 years. I have a passion for criminal justice reform. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. Too many of them are innocent. Too many of them suffer from mental illness. All of them are warehoused in a system that nurtures recidivism. There's not space here to list all the changes that need to be made. My hope is that once people become aware of some of the changes that are needed, they'll be willing to work for those changes. If we all raise our voices together, we can make a difference.
Media inquiries

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Petition created on February 3, 2009