“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
— Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote of structural inequities in the American criminal justice and punishment systems. He recognized that at every point in the criminal justice system, people of color are treated more severely. Excess incarceration results not only from racial injustice, but also from being unhoused, having an addiction, suffering from mental illness, being an immigrant, or using illicit drugs in small quantities. There are far too few resources for treatment or meaningful solutions—both in prisons and in society at large.

Our law enforcement systems incarcerate far more people—as a percentage of the population—than any other country. This has become a major societal burden, and it need not be this way. Too many people end up in prison for minor offenses such as parole violations or truancy. People are detained or jailed for violating moral and social norms—such as being evicted, or entering a country that needs their labor but does not provide a legal pathway to enter with a work permit. These social and economic issues often arise from flaws and disparities in our economic, healthcare, and social safety net systems. Taxing the Epstein class too lightly and dismantling the social safety net only worsen these problems. Shifting unhoused people and undocumented persons into jails and detention centers is surely more expensive than other approaches. This detention-first mindset also diverts law enforcement resources away from investigating serious crimes—violent, financial, sexual assault, or property crimes—and from supporting victims.

We will focus on two looming issues in Utah. The first is the proposed construction of a mega-center for people who are homeless, where services and housing would be provided through some form of compulsory process.

The second major concern is the possible development of a regional ICE warehouse-style detention center, where people would be treated as packages—processed and transferred to larger facilities before deportation.

We will ask our lawmakers to avert these two crises. Please consider the arguments outlined in this summary flier.

This topic lies at the heart of Unitarian Universalist faith. We value the inherent worth and dignity of all people, and we affirm justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. How can we confront the American frenzy to “lock them up,” while many people who commit serious harm go free—uninvestigated, unprosecuted, or even pardoned?

Meet in person at CVUU or online through Zoom on Sunday at 10:00 AM.