Civil Survival organizes system-impacted people, and advocates for policy reform to restore opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system. Our organization envisions a world without incarceration, where people are not limited by their past and are valued for their humanity. Civil Survival’s legislative priorities are representative of our mission and values.
Enhancing protections for people with criminal history seeking employment: HB 1747
People with prior criminal history should have the opportunities to access employment. Expanding Washington’s Fair Chance laws limits the barriers to accessing employment, allowing people to thrive in their communities and support themselves and their families. This bill would create a fairer application process for people with prior convictions, with a required interactive process between the potential employer and employee, prior to making an employment decision.
Eradicating poverty fees, alleviating the burdens of legal financial obligation (LFO) debt: HB 1499
Over the years, the No Price on Justice coalition has reduced the impacts of Washington’s LFO system on people and their families. However, courts continue to impose fees and costs on people who are living in poverty, leaving many Washingtonians in debt. This bill would remove all fees and costs associated with criminal cases, allowing people to emerge from the criminal legal system with significantly reduced debt burdens.
No Violence, No Segregation act: HB 1137
No Violence, No Segregation Act, is a cost-neutral approach to reducing the over-reliance on administrative segregation (ad-seg) by addressing the Department of Corrections (DOC) prison-initiated disciplinary process. In 2023, there were 6,120 recorded instances of solitary confinement in DOC. To reduce the number of people experiencing ad-seg, this bill would (1) change the evidentiary standard for DOC infractions from “some evidence” to “preponderance of evidence”, (2) narrow the types of infractions that warrant the use of administrative segregation, (3) Escalate reviews and approval of the use of ad-seg at the 15, 30 and 45 day mark, and notifying the Office of Corrections Ombuds for anything beyond 45 days, and (4) protect people’s education, housing, and job placement while they are in ad-seg.
Advocating for free communications for people incarcerated in DOC facilities: SB 5231
Incarcerated people rely on phone calls and electronic messaging to stay connected with their families. Keeping strong relationships with loved ones outside of prison is crucial for successful reintegration after release. But, the expensive costs of calls and messages often hinder their ability to maintain these connections. Civil Survival is working alongside the Connecting Families Washington coalition to make phone calls and electronic messages free for individuals in Washington prisons.
Creating an avenue to vacate prior DUI convictions: HB 1110
For the first time in Washington, people are going to be able to vacate prior DUI convictions, a remedy that has been available to thousands of Washingtonians for other types of convictions. DUI convictions, like so many others, create an often-insurmountable barrier to accessing employment, housing, and so many other essential services. This bill would allow people who have completed their sentencing conditions and have no new pending arrests or convictions, to vacate their convictions within five years.
The Reentry Readiness Act: HB 1239
Under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, every person was eligible to earn one-third off of their sentence through positive, rehabilitative programming and pro-social behavior. Over the years, changes to the statute have resulted in increased systemic racism and injustice. HB 1239 would bring Washington’s earned time system up to the low end of the national average. Our state’s earned time system ranks 49th in the country. This disparity makes racial disproportionality in our prison system worse than the racial disproportionality in the prison systems of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and roughly two dozen other states.
The Act for Civic Engagement (ACE): HB 1147
All people, including those incarcerated in state institutions, should have the opportunity to participate in civic life. These people – our neighbors, family members, and friends – hold unique and valuable perspectives on how policies affect real lives; and this knowledge is essential in shaping a more informed and effective future. HB 1147: (1) supports civic engagement, (2) facilitates communication with the public, politicians, and advocacy groups, (3) expands access to participation in virtual meetings with community groups, lawmakers, and forums, and (4) prevents retaliation for taking part in civil processes.
Ensuring that every citizen has the equal opportunity to vote, regardless of their custodial status: HB 1146
The right of a citizen to vote should be sacrosanct, no matter their race, income, or circumstances. However, eligible voters in jail custody have historically not had access to registration materials, voter education, and ballots. As a result, the people who are most impacted by our systems are locked out of a say in the decisions that affect their lives. HB 1146 would mandate county auditors to work with administrators in jails and state hospitals to create voting access plans.
Fighting for the right to vote for people incarcerated in Washington prisons: HB 1196
The right to vote affirms our humanity, our voice, and our identity as Americans. But Washington’s prisons strip more than 14,000 voters of their most fundamental right as citizens. Our current law allows our state to take your voting rights away for “infamous crimes,” which lawmakers have used to silence people with felony convictions. By officially defining “infamous crimes” as crimes punishable by the death penalty (outlawed in WA, except in cases of treason), we can join Maine, Vermont, Puerto Rico and D.C. in allowing people to vote while in prison.
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