7.9.26 Q&A Office Hours

Yesterday was our second Q&A session & it was great to see new and familiar faces! The content we covered in this session is in this slideshow (click here) and included in this blog post.

Upcoming Interim Committee Meetings

Next week, two key criminal justice-focused committees will meet to discuss a variety of topics, including the Ombudsman proposal, report out about the Board of Pardons & Parole, correctional oversight, & more. We strongly encourage people to give in-person or remote testimony about any of the issues being discussed. The meeting agendas are linked below, but are subject to change, so it’s worth checking the morning of the meeting to ensure you won’t miss information or an opportunity for public comment. If you’d like to give public comment on a non-agenda item, there is an opportunity at the end of the meeting for general comments.

Testimony Resources:

• Step-by-step signing up for remote testimony (click here)

• Testimonies 101, blank testimony template (click here)

Tuesday, July 14th: Law & Justice Interim Committee (LJIC)

• Remote testimony sign-up deadline: Monday, July 13th by 5pm

• Committee homepage (click here)

• Meeting agenda (click here)

Wednesday, July 15th: Criminal Legal Oversight Council (CJOC)

• Remote testimony sign-up deadline: Tuesday, July 14th by 5pm

• Committee homepage (click here)

• Meeting agenda (click here)

Ombudsman Update

Amanda, with 406Revolutionized, has spearheaded efforts to establish an external, independent Office of the Corrections Ombudsman to provide oversight of the Montana Department of Corrections. The draft proposal (click here) will be discussed at Tuesday’s LJIC meeting at 9 am. Members of the public can add their input and recommend changes to the bill.

What does an Ombudsman do?

Its purpose would be to investigate complaints, inspect correctional facilities, identify systemic issues, and make recommendations to improve transparency, accountability, safety, and rehabilitation.

How can you help?

Provide public comment at Tuesday’s LJIC meeting! Do you have experience that would help make the case for an ombudsman? Lawmakers need to hear from families, correctional staff, formerly incarcerated individuals, victims, advocates, and members of the public!

Answering Questions

• Many of us have written countless emails and letters to legislators, but sometimes it feels like nothing changes. How do we make our messages stronger and more effective without coming across as angry or disrespectful? What language, strategies, or approaches have you found that help get legislators' attention while remaining professional and persuasive?

  You’re not alone in this sentiment! An effective tactic, and the one we’re trying to use during these office hours, is to organize with others to determine which issues are most important to raise. Having several people identify and repeat the same problem makes it harder for lawmakers to ignore or write off.

  Another strategy is to build relationships with specific and strategic lawmakers. One reason the Ombudsman proposal has materialized is Amanda’s hard work behind the scenes, including 1:1 conversations with lawmakers and familiarizing herself with them, and vice versa. People are naturally more inclined to meaningfully listen to someone they know.

  In the long term, we need to elect people who recognize that they work for their constituents and will listen to us. Montana has a citizen legislature, meaning our lawmakers often have other jobs in addition to being lawmakers. Despite their title, they are still members of our communities and should be listening to our needs. When deciding who to vote for come November, take note of candidates’ willingness to solicit and implement public feedback!