On behalf of the staff, board, and statewide Criminal Justice Coalition convened by Empower Missouri, I am here today to oppose the bills referenced above. I am also a lifelong resident of and long-time homeowner in the City of St. Louis. First and foremost, there is simply no logical explanation for pursuing this type of...Read More
Black Missourians are more likely to be pulled over than their white neighbors. Much more likely. Each year since 2000, the Attorney General of Missouri publishes the Vehicle Stops Report (VSR), which shows data on each time a driver is pulled over by an officer in the state. For the last 19 years, the report...Read More
In March, five listening sessions were conducted with Jefferson City residents regarding interactions between their community and the Jefferson City Police Department. A subsequent survey was taken by the participants. The racial makeup of those surveyed were as follows: 20 African Americans35 European Americans2 individuals who did not disclose their race The genders of those...Read More
June 3, 2019 For More Information: Jeanette Mott Oxford Executive Director, Empower Missouri (314) 775-3261 Conner Kerrigan Communications Director, Empower Missouri (815) 263-1261 On May 31st, 2019, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt released the annual Vehicle Stops Report of 2018 (VSR) as mandated by Missouri statutes. As an organization that advocates for the...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
The House Committee Substitute (HCS) of House Bills 167 & 166 was debated on the House floor on Tuesday afternoon. You know from our Weekly Perspective and Call to Action last Friday that the version voted out of committee needed some significant improvements. The floor debate was an opportunity to hear several amendments offered, get...Read More
While crime has dropped across the nation and also in Missouri, our state is one of only eight states in which the prison population has been growing. In fact, we rank #3, and we have been in a nip-and-tuck race with Kentucky to take home the coveted (NOT!) prize for most women being incarcerated. How...Read More
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