Empower Missouri Criminal Justice Coalition

Empower Missouri Criminal Justice Coalition is a passionate coalition of advocates committed to ending mass incarceration in Missouri and nationwide. Their mission is to enact policy change across five key levels of the criminal justice system in order to fundamentally alter the way our country approaches equitable justice. These five levels are: policing, pre-trial supervision, trial, incarceration, and reentry. Across all levels, the coalition emphasizes accountability. They believe that police departments must be held accountable for systemic injustices and the excessive use of force. Advocates also provide research to policymakers which encourages the use of community supervision while individuals await trial, removing cash bail systems that monetize freedom and disproportionately benefit the wealthy. They emphasize the need for high quality public defenders, fair jury selection and fair trial management, as well as an incarceration system build around rehabilitation rather than punishment. They actively oppose policies that punish returning citizens and disenfranchise them for extended periods.