Criminal Justice
Those who are impacted by the U.S. criminal justice system—whether convicted or accused—are often forgotten in the struggle for basic rights. As Unitarian Universalists, our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of every person compels us to uphold this principle for everyone. Despite our nation's constitutional promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all, our corrections system is rife with inequitable sentencing and enforcement, racial and ethnic profiling, and deplorable jail and prison conditions and treatment. We also see that current laws do not adequately protect all vulnerable groups; especially youth; people of color; and/or Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender people. In our effort to create a more equitable and just society for all people, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) encourages Unitarian Universalist congregations to engage in organizing, education, and advocacy toward a corrections system driven by compassionate justice, rather than retribution. Specifically, we oppose the death penalty and support an overhaul of U.S. drug policy, including an end to mandatory minimum sentencing. We support strengthened gun control, effective alternatives to incarceration, dismantling of the for-profit prison industry, support for prisoners' families, and a comprehensive approach to prisoner re-entry, including restoration of voting rights for ex-felons. The UUA also supports collection of hate crimes statistics, and policy which adds sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability to existing federal law regarding hate crimes.- Death Penalty
- Drug Policy Reform
- Prison Reform
For more information contact uuawo @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
