As an organization focused on ending poverty in our state, Empower Missouri is deeply aware of the individual costs of a criminal record. Limited housing, employment, and education options can leave a person with a lifetime struggling to overcome a past mistake, long after they have served their time. But in Missouri alone, there are...Read More

Date: April 2, 2025 To: Chairman Mayhew and Members, Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 774, 603, 729 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through...Read More

Date: April 1, 2025 To: Representative Casteel, Chairman, and Members of the House Commerce Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 1505 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy....Read More

Date: March 26, 2025 To: Representative Myers, Chairman, and Members of the House Crime and Public Safety Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 591 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri...Read More

Date: March 25, 2025 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 378 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since its inception,...Read More

Date: March 26, 2025 To: Representative Parker, Chairman, and Members of the House Judiciary Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 989 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy....Read More

Yesterday, Governor Kehoe signed HB 495, a criminal justice omnibus bill with a variety of provisions. The primary provision of the bill puts the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under state control. Empower Missouri denounces this change of control for the following reasons:  There is simply no logical explanation for pursuing this change of control...Read More

Every year, bills are filed in Missouri that would increase prison sentences. Politicians’ commitment to being perceived as tough on crime is evergreen, as popular of a tactic now as it was in the 1980s with the rise of mass incarceration. This year, these types of bills have gained more traction than ever, with early...Read More

Date: March 12, 2025 To: Chairman Don Mayhew and Members of the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 617 and Restoring Voting Rights Empower Missouri has been committed for over 120 years to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy and...Read More

Date: March 5th, 2025 To: Rep. Parker and members of the House Judiciary CommitteeFrom: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our Support for HB 82 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a statewide Community Justice Coalition...Read More