Criminal Justice System

Criminal Justice System

Issue - Criminal Justice

Levels of the League of Women Voters on Criminal Justice

National Level - The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) encourages all League members to reform the criminal justice system through education and advocacy.

State Level - The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) supports an effective, efficient, data-driven system that is fair to all and that treats everyone with dignity, guaranteeing constitutional rights to all regardless of community or economic status, and facilitating successful reentry to society of former inmates.

Local Level - The League of Women Voters of Delaware County, consisting of the League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County (LWVCDC) and the League of Women Voters of Radnor Township concentrates on various aspects of our criminal justice system, the Delaware County system and specifically the George H. Hill Correctional Facility. The Committee makes suggestions and recommendations to Delaware County officials on ways to improve criminal justice which support the League of Women Voters criminal justice positions.

Why it matters

The League of Women Voters (LWV) believes that the role of the criminal justice system is to prevent crime and promote public safety. Current research indicates successful systems focus on pre-trial diversion, rehabilitation and preventing recidivism. Some communities experience excessive force and surveillance by the police. People waste away in prisons serving extreme sentences. A growing national bipartisan consensus exists that the current criminal justice system needs reform to ensure its constitutionality and cost effectiveness, community participation is essential.

The most effective criminal justice reforms consider the safety and well being of both peace officers and the communities they serve, especially people most impacted. It’s time to re-think the humanity of those who do harm, as well as understand the support — e.g. adequate training, clear performance standards, mental health services — required by law enforcement.

What we’re done

The League of Women Voters of Delaware County (LWV CDC & LWV Radnor Twp) has:

  • Formed a Criminal Justice Committee
  • Advocate for criminal justice reform 
  • Monitor criminal justice Delaware County departments.
  • Identified Delaware County Court Departments - CLICK HERE
    • Court Departments
    • Court Related Initiatives
    • Criminal Justice Links
    • Office of the District Attorney - CLICK HERE
    • Delaware County Public Defender’s Office - CLICK HERE
  • Monitor Jail Oversight Board Meetings - CLICK HERE
    • George H. Hill  Correctional Facility - About CLICK HERE 
    • Registered to vote eligible incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals
  • Partnered with community organizations who focus on criminal justice reform
  • Created a Criminal Justice Issues page which contains resources and League positions and studies
    • LWV PA Criminal Justice Position CLICK HERE
      • LWV PA  Criminal Justice Study View the two sections of this study here and here. 
      • LWV PA Criminal Justice Study Materials CLICK HERE
      • Criminal Justice Census Questions CLICK HERE
      • LWV Program Cycle and League Study Handout CLICK HERE

What we’re doing

  • Continuing to advocate for criminal justice reform

  • Monitoring the meetings Jail Oversight Board Meetings

  • Following criminal justice legislation

What can you do

  • Become familiar with the work of the LWV Delco Criminal Justice Committee 

  • Suggest other groups that might be interested in networking to advance criminal justice reform

  • Become familiar with the resources listed on our Criminal Justice Issues page

  • Learn tips of how to advocate
    • Tracking a bill in Harrisburg Handout - CLICK HERE
    • Contact your elected official concerning criminal justice issues
  • Learn about the PA Court System
    • Watch Video - PA Courts - CLICK HERE
    • Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System Handout - CLICK HERE
    • Review PA for Modern Courts Resources and Program Recordings - CLICK HERE 

  • Join our Criminal Justice Committee

  • Contact our Criminal Justice Committee Co-Chairs alicia.g [at] alumni.upenn.edu (Alicia Granor) and/or Rtb620 [at] gmail.com (Rosanne Bennett)