July 6, 2020

I hope everyone had a happy Independence Day in spite of the difficult conditions we find ourselves in.  However, I am happy to report that Mayor Bowser finally has publicly requested from Congress through Congresswoman Norton's office to that the authority of the U.S. Parole Commission be transferred to the DC Government. In a letter just recently released, Mayor Bowser asked that "the District regain local control of parole functions through federal legislation." For a number of years, criminal justice reform advocates have been pushing the DC Council and Mayor to take back control of the U.S Parole Commission, which affects thousands of DC residents.  The Mayor asked that Congress pass legislation renewing federal control of the U.S. Parole Commission for only two years. This will give the District government time to plan, fund, and implement a smooth transition of the parole function to local control. For a full description of the issues surrounding the U.S. Parole Commission and its significance to the District, please read my June 19 blog posting entitled, "DC Statehood-Black Lives Matter."  

I urge DC residents to send a note to Mayor Bowser thanking her for her leadership on this issue.   

You can read Mayor Bower's circulated letter below.