Local coalition promotes jail reforms

Decarcerate Monroe County kicked off its campaign Saturday at the Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market.

DMC is a local coalition working to promote reforms in the justice system.

DMC members presented copies of their new pamphlet, the result of eight months of research.

“We spoke with people visiting the jail, asked about their recommendations of things that would have kept them out of jail,” DMC member Micol Seigel said. “The pamphlet also includes legal and academic research about what is possible in Bloomington. It’s set up as specific recommendations to specific players in government.”

The pamphlet includes suggestions for Mayor Kruzan, the City Council, the Board of Judges, the Monroe County Probation Department and other parties concerning methods to cut jail overcrowding.

These recommendations include speedy arraignments and reformed bail and bond procedures.

Seigel said she estimated that several dozen people visited DMC’s table at the Farmers’ Market.

DMC also announced the addition of several branches to the campaign, including canvassing and an effort to sit down with people in each branch of government.

“Most reforms are practical, no cost, simple, common sense and they can be implemented with no threat to public safety,” Seigel said. “It serves us and serves everybody to have a happier, healthier, more safe community.”

UPCOMING DMC EVENTS
DMC meets 7 to 9 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the Monroe County Public Library.
DMC hosts a movie series at 2:30 p.m. the first Sunday of every month at the library.

— Stephanie Doctrow