NOTE! The Seattle Indivisible 2020 Surge kickoff event is coming up on February 23. You’ll learn how to work with your community to help take back the country beginning in 2020, and maybe even see a member of Congress make a special appearance!

RSVP for free at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/seattle-indivisible-2020-we-win-tickets-92411408009 and tell your friends

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Today, we need you to contact your State Representatives and ask them to support HB 2576, which states unequivocally that “it is the intent of the legislature to prohibit the use of private prisons and detention facilities in the state.” This bill would also require the closure of the privately run Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma after the current contract expires in 2025.

Studies have shown that, because of their focus on lowering operating costs and maintaining a profit, private prisons are more violent and less sanitary than federally-run institutions. According to a Department of Justice study, assaults on staff are twice as high and those on other prisoners are 30% higher. Injured and mentally ill prisoners do not have their needs adequately met.

Labor unions support this bill because of the low wages, insufficient benefits, insufficient training and understaffing that employees of private prisons are subject to.

Finally, there are provisions being built into the bill to deal with the issue of prisoners being transferred out of state, potentially causing hardship to families.

Today’s Action: Contact your State Representatives

Today we want you to contact your two state Representatives and ask them to put their weight behind HB 2576.

1. Go to http://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/2576

2. Enter your home address, click on “Verify District,” choose your Representatives from the list, and enter your contact information.

3. State that you SUPPORT the bill, and add a comment (you can base your comment on our sample script)

Sample script:

Hi – I’m asking you to support HB 2576, which will help close private prisons and even shut down the Northwest Detention Center. Please ask your colleagues on the House Rules Committee to send this bill to the House floor for a vote.

{FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE YOUR PERSONAL THOUGHTS ABOUT WHY PRIVATE PRISONS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM WASHINGTON STATE}

Background

Learn more about the bill here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2576&Initiative=false&Year=2019