Fairness for Prisoners' Families Friends, welcome to the first update on our new email list!  Please feel free to forward this to anyone you know who might be interested.  If you are not subscribed to this list but would like to be, send an email to: georgiafairness-subscribe@yahoogroups.com   Fairness for Prisoners’ Families Weekly Summary January 20, 2006  In this message: This week at the legislature Criminal Justice in the Media this week Taking Action Background and Resources In other news / Upcoming Events This week in criminal justice at the legislature The Georgia General Assembly was not in session this week.  The Appropriations Committees met and held the first round of Budget Hearings.  The Senate and House will reconvene on Monday January 23, 2006 at 1 pm for day 6 of the session. Criminal Justice in the Media this week To read the full articles CLICK HERE. Keeping in Touch with a Parent in Prison New York Times Editorial on the cost of accepting phone calls from family members in prison. Bill raises penalties for child molesters Atlanta Journal Constitution on proposed Sex Offender legislation.  Investigation questions care at jail Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Jail inmate Harriet Washington was the victim of a confused and clumsy medical response when she died in front of her cellmates, concluded a Gwinnett Sheriff's Department investigation released Wednesday.  Lockdown bars visits to inmates Augusta Chronicle: Jail under lockdown as staff searches for contraband. State prisoners clog county, official says; Commissioner wants them gone in 6 months Augusta Chronicle: According to GDC Commissioner, the state should be able to remove all its prisoners from county jails within the next six months. Medical provider may lose contract; Sheriff mulls firing firm in wake of inmate's death The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway is trying to decide whether to fire the county jail's medical provider. Taking Action: For information on who are your legislators and how to contact them, please visit Fairness’ Action Center.  This page also includes voter registration information, links to the Georgia Constitution and Code, and reasons why we must raise our voices! Background and resources:   LEGISLATURE • General Assembly • Senate members • House members • Track bills • Who represents you?   STATE GOVERNMENT • Main state site • Governor's office • Lt. governor's office In other news / Upcoming Events SAVE THE DATE! Fairness for Prisoners’ Families Day at the Capitol March 2nd, 2006, 9 am to Noon, Orientation at 9 am, Central Presbyterian Church 201 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-959-0274.  During the legislative session Fairness follows legislation important to those with imprisoned loved ones.  Join us this special day when we all approach our legislators about the ways state policies effect the hundreds of thousands of adults and children in Georgia who have a friend or family member in prison, jail, on parole or probation, or in youth detention centers. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. With hope and solidarity, Sara Sara J. Totonchi Public Policy Director Southern Center for Human Rights 83 Poplar Street, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404/688-1202 voice 404/688-9440 fax stotonchi@schr.org

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