By Nimrod “Rod” Chapel., Jr.
With a recommendation, prosecutors have the power to change a person’s life.
As the gatekeepers of the criminal justice system, a prosecutor can deepen economic and racial disparities, determine who gets locked up, who gets treatment – and here, in Cole County, decide to fight against state corruption or not.
For the first time in 12 years, voters in Cole County will have the opportunity to pick a new prosecuting attorney. After watching 23 preachers and clergy prosecuted for praying, it is time.
On Nov. 6, voters must choose a prosecuting attorney who uses their power for good.
Missouri prisons are operating at 105 percent capacity, with more than 36,000 people imprisoned. To keep up with current incarceration trends, the state will have to build two new prisons costing taxpayers nearly $500 million by 2021.
The choices prosecutors make shape our society. Their decisions affect our friends, family and neighbors, as well as our pocketbooks.
The cost for Missourians keeps adding up. For every dollar spent on corrections, incarceration generates an additional $10 in social costs. More than half of those — such as moving, visitation and child welfare expenses — fall on those who didn’t commit a crime.
This trend affects all Missourians – especially those in communities of color. For example, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, while African-Americans only make up 12 percent of Missouri’s population, they are 39 percent of the state’s incarcerated population. Current Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Richardson added to the problem by skating the rules and not allowing Black jurors to serve on juries.
Voters should look for a prosecutor committed to programs that save taxpayers money and provide second chances.
For example, effectively using a pre-trial program can save taxpayers millions. In 2016, it cost Cole County more than $3.8 million to house prisoners. In 2017, the total cost for the pre-trial program was $153,034. We need more of this.
Cole County should look for a prosecutor who will prioritize rehabilitation and address root causes of crime like addiction, mental illness, and poverty.
The criminal justice system is not equipped to handle the social and health issues that land many people in prison and jail. In Cole County, we have one jail cell dedicated to behavioral health. That’s bad for our community and unsustainable for those who care for these prisoners.
Last year in Cole County, only three percent of people facing felony drug cases graduated from the Cole County Drug Court. We can increase participation in the programs so that we can all do better. We have to make a case for priorities that reflect getting people back to work, getting treatment for addiction, and making sure our dollars go to supportive effective policies – no more convictions instead of justice.
Incarcerating drug-using offenders costs between $20,000 and $50,000 per person, per year. On the other hand, a drug court program costs between $1,500 and $11,000 annually for each offender.
A prosecutor committed to using these alternative programs will save money and save lives. In a state that overincarcerates all of its citizens and especially its Black population – one that forced the NAACP to issue a historic Missouri Travel Advisory for people that are here or might come to Missouri, this is critical not just to justice but to racial justice – Reform must be the new norm for prosecutors.
As voters, we have the power to elect officials who will hold the government including prosecutors in the justice system accountable. Cole County is ready to change. I urge all voters to join me to meet their candidates for Cole County Prosecuting Attorney at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23 at Lincoln University Scruggs Center, 819 Chestnut St, Jefferson City, MO 65101, and hear their plans for reform.
On Nov. 6, let’s pick a prosecutor committed to a smarter, fairer justice system.
Nimrod “Rod” Chapel, Jr. is the President of the Jefferson City and Missouri NAACP State Conference
