This page has some excerpts from the writings of Frederick Newell. You can learn about Frederick and support his work through his Substack page which is free, but also offers an opportunity to donate as well. These writings refer to a proposed county Sheriff facility that would also contain a jail.
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The excerpts below are from “Before We Decide” by Frederick Newell.
“The older I get, the more I’m learning that life rarely gives us the luxury of choosing one truth over another. Sometimes leadership requires us to hold two difficult truths at the same time.”
“I can oppose the systems that continue producing racial disparities while also believing people deserve humane conditions once they are incarcerated. I can advocate for prevention while acknowledging that the current facility no longer reflects the dignity every human being deserves. I can believe in accountability without believing incarceration should strip someone of their humanity.”
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The excerpts below are from “Look Beyond the Building” by Frederick Newell.
“Every day we invest in young people because we believe prevention matters. We want to interrupt cycles before they begin, creating opportunities that help young people envision a future larger than the circumstances surrounding them. At the same time, we walk alongside men and women returning home after incarceration because we believe a person’s story does not end with their worst decision. If we truly believe people are capable of change, then our responsibility doesn’t end when someone leaves a courtroom or walks out of a correctional facility. In many ways, that’s where the real work begins.”
“We’ve convinced ourselves this conversation is about whether to build a jail. I don’t believe that’s the real question. The real question is whether we are willing to build a justice system that reflects both accountability and human dignity. Justice has never been one-size-fits-all, and neither should our response to those who enter the system.”
“There are people whose actions require incarceration because they present a genuine danger to others. Public safety matters, and communities deserve to be protected. Victims deserve justice, and accountability is an essential part of that process. But there are also people who find themselves in our criminal justice system because of addiction, untreated mental illness, poverty, or mistakes that, while serious, may not require the response of a jail cell.”