WASHINGTON, DC – A report focusing on the overwhelming challenges faced by DC women who are incarcerated was released today by the Committee and Covington & Burling LLP. The report, titled “DC Women in Prison: Continuing Problems and Recommendations for Change,” provides an in-depth look at the experience of women who are incarcerated both in the local Correctional Treatment Facility and in federal prisons, where many DC women convicted of felonies serve their sentences.
“This is a topic that should be of real concern to District of Columbia and federal policymakers and correctional authorities. Improving conditions for DC women who are incarcerated will help to enhance public safety, reduce public expenditures, and rebuild communities in the District,” said Eric Holder, Covington partner and former Attorney General.
The 94-page report, which includes a discussion of eleven recommendations, primarily focuses on four aspects of incarceration that are particularly critical for DC women:
- Contact with children and families
- Medical care
- Education, job training, and life skills programs
- Sexual abuse and harassment
“This report—the fourth in a series addressing significant issues affecting our local criminal justice system—highlights a set of problems confronting women prisoners that has long deserved public scrutiny,” said Washington Lawyers’ Committee’s Executive Director Rod Boggs.
The report is the product of a review that brought together legal, civil rights, and criminal justice experts, as well as senior federal and District of Columbia judges.
Click here to view the full report.
Media Highlights:
DCist (March 25, 2016)
ABA Journal (March 25, 2016)
Politico (March 25, 2015)
WAMU (March 28, 2016)
WHUR (March 29, 2016)
Media Contacts:
David Schaefer, Covington & Burling LLP
202 662 6687 | [email protected]
Elliot Mincberg, Washington Lawyers’ Committee
202 319 1000 | [email protected]
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE: The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) is a public interest law organization with extensive experience in civil rights litigation. Founded in 1968, its initial focus on addressing racial discrimination issues has expanded to include providing pro bono representation in a broad range of matters impacting every group protected by federal, state and local civil rights laws. For more information, see: www.washlaw.org.
ABOUT COVINGTON & BURLING LLP: In an increasingly regulated world, Covington & Burling LLP provides corporate, litigation, and regulatory expertise to help clients navigate their most complex business problems, deals, and disputes. Founded in 1919, the firm has more than 800 lawyers in offices in Beijing, Brussels, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Washington.
Contact with children and families
Medical care
Education, job training, and life skills programs
Sexual abuse and harassment