Is anyone here active in criminal justice issues involving ALEC

[DevonRex]

and the privatization of prisons in MO? My son is in his last semester of law school at St. Louis University. He's working on a project and we thought that perhaps the DU community, particularly the Missouri Group, could be a good source of information on those subjects.

He's doing a lot of research, but as far as the politics and grassroots efforts go, he's going to need some input from good people who are trying to stop ALEC's efforts to privatize prisons in MO. Which groups are leading the effort in MO? Which legislators are they talking to? Which legislators does ALEC have in its pockets? What means does ALEC use to sway legislators in MO?

How much sway does ALEC hold over electing their preferred candidates? Is the public aware of such goings on, or is this still somewhat hidden from the public?

If you have any information you can PM me or discuss it here if you'd prefer. Thank you very much. Who knows, maybe this project will end up helping MO avoid Wisconsin's fate.

[elleng]

1. I have no direct information,

but saw a PBS documentary last night, 'Slavery by another name,' which went into the time after reconstruction, and monies paid by corporations to the States for the use of the labor of prisoners, hence encouraging the States to maintain such acts as spitting on the street, speaking loudly in public, as offenses suitable for imprisonment.

Not exactly legal research, but the perspective might be useful for your son's endeavors.

Best of luck to him.

[DevonRex]

4. That sounds great!

That's a much needed perspective, too. I'm gonna find that online and watch it myself.

[elleng]

6. Good, Rex.

Was 'great' insofar as the history, but the history was/is VERY

You'll learn a lot from it, so will your son, and watching it may REconfirm his decision to become an attorney.

[patrice]

2. Major ALEC action coming up in KC Wednesday 2/29 . . . also . . .

http://www.occupykc.net/ai1ec_event/leap-into-action-shut-down-the-corporations/

Do you know Families Against Mandatory Minimums? They are a VERY longstanding and effective organization DEDICATED to the grassroots.

http://www.famm.org/

Solidarity! And "God" bless!

[DevonRex]

3. Thank you Patrice!

Those links will help a lot! That's exactly what he's looking for.

[patrice]

5. I have seen FAMM in the trenches. They are very dedicated people.

And I can tell you that I have also heard occupiers out of Oklahoma talk about their concerns over the incarceration rate, the highest in the nation, of women in that state. If they're talking about that sort of thing, so are others.

[xmas74]

7. Patrice's link is the best I've heard of so far.

If I hear of anything else I'll send along a pm.

It's a problem that needs dealt with in Missouri but with our state having so many other problems it seems to be pushed to the back burner.

[DevonRex]

8. Thank you!

This is more than just a project to my son. He's working with a public defender this semester and he's already been horrified at some things he's seen.

People should be treated like human beings and not as a source of profit in an endless loop of corporate imprisonment.

[xmas74]

9. We had a private prison just to the west of my city

but that's now closed. You might want to have him google ICC (Integrity Correctional Center) in Johnson County. I believe before they closed there were a number of lawsuits against them in regards to the care of the inmates, maintenance of the buildings, training of staff, etc.