Incarcerated people have far fewer means of earning credits toward early release from prison during a pandemic, and the conditions of a prison make social distancing nearly impossible, which is why public health experts have recommended early release as a critical tactic to contain COVID-19 inside prison walls.
Senator Marie Pinkney and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown, Chairwomen of the Senate and House Corrections Committees, have introduced a bill in-line with these public health recommendations: House Bill 37, the Public Health Emergency Credit bill. For every month an incarcerated person serves in prison during a public health emergency, they would receive six months’ credit, allowing for a maximum of one year reduced from their sentences.
Join us for a virtual forum on HB 37, the Public Health Emergency Credit bill, with Representative Melissa Minor-Brown, Chairwoman of the House Corrections Committee and co-sponsor of HB 37, David Bever, Executive Director of the Delaware Center for Justice, Sarah Farjardo, Policy Director at the ACLU of New Jersey, and impacted community members.
With perspectives from the General Assembly, advocates, a reentry service provider, a neighboring state that’s implemented similar legislation, and the people who this affects directly, this forum is meant to give you a well-rounded view of HB 37, what it will do, what it won’t do, and why it’s critical that we #PassHB37 without delay.
The Zoom event will also be live-streamed on the ACLU of Delaware Facebook page.
Please note: this Zoom event will be recorded, and registration is required for all Zoom participants.
More information and registration here: https://www.aclu-de.org/en/events/hb-37-covid-19-and-public-health-crisis-prisons
Thank you to our cosponsors:
Congregation Beth Emeth
Community Legal Aid Society
Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network
Delaware Center for Justice
Delaware Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow
Delaware United
Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice
Unitarian Universalists of Delaware Advocacy Network
