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March 22, 2006 Lacey, Wash.— The challenge of giving ex-felons opportunities for rehabilitation and a fresh start in society while balancing safety concerns will be the focus of a Continuing Legal Education Program April 14 at Saint Martin’s University. A series of three panel discussions on the topic, “Responsible Justice: Balancing Safety with Rehabilitation,” will be presented from 1 to 4 p.m. at the university’s Spangler Hall, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE. The program is sponsored by the Thurston County Bar Association and the university. With passage of a 2006 bill creating a Joint Select Committee of Offender Programs, Washington’s legislature recognized not only the importance of public safety, but also the need to improve programs that reduce the likelihood that ex-felons will commit another crime. The first panel of speakers will first talk about the role of public policy in creating a cycle of repeat offenders. Panelists will be Sally Harrison, Office of Assigned Counsel; Thurston County Prosecutor Ed Holm; Lakewood Police Chief Larry Saunders; and Thurston County District Court Judge Kip Stilz. Representing legislative attempts at solutions will be Mary Leftridge Byrd, deputy secretary for community corrections for the State Department of Corrections; State Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood; Roger Kluck of the Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy; and State Rep. Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace. Speaking to citizen and faith-based efforts will be Joan Fredrickson, WorkSource Thurston County; the Rev. Carol McKinley; Dr. Edryce Reynolds and Lesta Rogers, both of Citizens for Responsible Justice. For more information, please contact Saint Martin’s adjunct faculty member Shawn Newman, 360-866-2322. For more information: Shawn Newman Holly Harmon
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