Date: January 31st, 2024To: Representative Rudy Viet, Chairman, and Members of the House Committee on Corrections and Public InstitutionsFrom: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRE: Support for HB 2502 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...Read More

Date: January 31st, 2024To: Representative Rudy Viet, Chairman, and Members of the House Committee on Corrections and Public InstitutionsFrom: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRE: Support for HB 1777 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...Read More

Date: January 29th, 2024 To: Sen. Leutkemeyer, Chairman, and Members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and  Criminal Jurisprudence Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: Support for SB 1098 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our...Read More

Date: January 24th, 2024 To: Representative Rudy Viet, Chairman, and Members of the House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: Support for HB 2203 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for...Read More

On Tuesday evening, I went to the prison in Bonne Terre to stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty in opposing the execution of Kevin Johnson. I honestly didn’t attend in my official capacity as a staff member at Empower Missouri. As I had learned the details of...Read More

In just over two weeks, Missouri voters will head to polls for the midterm elections. In addition to voting for federal, state, and, in some cases, local leaders, Missouri voters will weigh in on four constitutional amendments. Three of these amendments were proposed by the Missouri legislature, and one, Amendment 3, was proposed by the...Read More

How can we promote smart sentencing in Missouri in order to reduce the number of incarcerated individuals, ease some of the demands our penal system imposes on the state budget, and attain better long-term outcomes?Read More

In last week’s Perspective, we talked about the roadblocks our HIV policy modernization bill hit and how we’ll persist and organize for future success. Today, though, we want to tell you about a few truly unmistakable wins that Empower Missouri saw this week.Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2019 For More Information: Sara Baker, 314-809-0658 Jeremy Cady, 417-597-3838 Jeanette Mott Oxford, 314-775-3261 Jefferson City – Yesterday, the Missouri Legislature approved HB 192, a proposal that would reform Missouri sentencing law and allow eligible individuals to have earlier parole hearings.  HB 192 requires the parole board to evaluate those currently serving...Read More