MEETING MINUTES: PRISON REFORM/DEATH PENALTY TASK FORCE

Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Time: 1:30 p.m.

Opening prayer – Paul

Introductions/Check-In – General talk

Issues/Updates

Death Penalty

• Aaron Gunches’ request for execution – confessed. AG supported. Withdrew
  • AZ Supreme Court to consider
• Nevada Board of Pardons – commutations of sentences for all death penalties.
  • New governor will reverse all “soft on crime” items.
• Commutation/alternatives
  • Paul and Billie to strategize on what we can do in this area.
    • Exec board of clemency must weigh in – 2-3 years out for consideration?

Prison health care litigation update

• Going on for years
• Steps taken but state has failed to live up to the terms
• Trial over the summer
  • Draft injunction issued
    • Terms, etc.
    • Very specific
    • Response due early February
    • Final injunction will come then

Re-entry – Tour of re-entry program when Dean was chairing committee

• Chaplain in jail tasked with starting a re-entry program (1yr or less incarcerated). – Correctional Health Services
• City of Phoenix has programs
• Is there an effort to bring in business leaders (job sources)?
• What’s the follow-up on any conference
• Dove of the Desert is having a “re-entry simulation” Jan 28^th.

Legislation – most legislation is out there.

• I sent out info on how to sign up for commenting to the legislature.

Old business

• Jan 26 – “Is Arizona’s Prison System working?” Questions as to our promoting this. Paradise Valley UMC.
• Looking for reliable source of information on AZ legislation
  • AZ Legislation Alert – Bills, etc.
  • Paul will send information out

New issues/business

• Patty to contact someone about sponsoring youth re-entry simulation program
• Paul info on criminal justice issues.

Closing prayer – Jim

Meeting adjourned at 2:25pm

Next meeting: TBD