Subject: Please Email to Media Contacts

MD CURE P.O. Box 23, Simpsonville, MD 21150  Maryland Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants

Maryland CURE Meeting Minutes Officers July 20, 2013 President Howard County Central Library Lea Green

Vice President Vivian Penda President Lea Green called the meeting or order at 10:30 a.m. Sharrie Booth gave a brief overview of the minutes from the April meeting and they were approved.

Treasurer Mary Pat DeVerneil Mary Pat Donelan reported that Maryland CURE’s funds are now at $1228.00 due to the many donations made in honor and memory of Mary Pat’s husband, Andre DeVerneil. We have submitted all paperwork but are still waiting for our 501-C approval from the Secretary Sharrie Booth IRS.

Mary Pat also shared letters from inmates expressing their thanks and appreciation for all that CURE does.

Lea reported on the many issues Maryland CURE has been involved in Board of Directors The Officers  We welcome three new board members, Jak Elliot, Pamela Griffith and Christine Lib Shipley Davenport. Details will be given later. Lea introduced Jak Elliott to CURE members and Jak gave us a brief overview of her involvement in prison reformation issues which include representing Women of Wisdom at JCI and Advisory Board maintaining a website on their behalf (mciw-women-of-wisdom.com) providing information for recovery, release, family support. The website is a liaison for Walter Lomax incarcerated and their families and loved ones. We all welcomed Jak! Executive Director Maryland Restorative  Ed Sabin reported that about 400 people from around the country have signed Justice Initiative the Felony Murder Rule petition that he posted on change.org. It was suggested that perhaps one could be created for Maryland specifically. Bonnita Spikes,  There were questions about the ‘Maryland Offender & Ex-Offender Identification Maryland Criminal Card Education Campaign’. Lea will check with Gwenn and see if she knows Justice Chair-NAACP anything about this.  Lea reminded us that all are welcome to join NAACP – there is power in numbers! Alfreda Robinson Director  Maryland CURE will partner with the ‘Greater Baltimore Grassroots Criminal National Women's Justice Network’. Prison Project, Inc  ISAIAH 61 Ministries, an affiliate of New Revival Center of Renewal, is a coalition of churches in Anne Arundel County committed to providing faith based Frank M. Dunbaugh, mentoring and transitional services for the incarcerated to re-enter the J.D. Executive Director community. Maryland CURE is a partner in this effort. Also mentioned was Maryland Justice Policy http://www.alternativedirectionsinc.org/ Institute  Hosting the film ‘Herman’s House’ was discussed. This is a film about a man who spent over 30 years in solitary confinement. The cost is $295 for a single showing. Rasheeda J. Alford Several ideas were put forth including a library or as part of St. John’s social Executive Director Out for Justice ministry.  Lea shared a letter to Pam Knable regarding health care problems. This led to a broader discussion of health care contracts in prison and the actual steps a Honorable Salima S. Marriott prisoner takes when he or she has a medical problem.  Lea passed out copies of articles including one about inmates earning certifications as part of deconstruction the house of corrections and the 13 inmates released due to the outcome of the Unger case.  Now is the time to do our research for legislative efforts for next year! We need to know the viewpoints of the Md Senate Judicial committee members for 2014 so we know where to target our efforts.  Former Governor Robert Ehrlich granted clemency to many prisoners while in office and he continues to work on this issue. Lea has heard of some new information on this front but we don’t yet have details.  The 6th International CURE conference will be held in Bangkok, Thailand March 4-8, 2014. Maryland CURE may have a representative there!  Extra Legalese Group will host their 3rd Peace initiative Symposium July 23-25 at JCI.

New Business

 There is a Prison Ministry workshop next Friday and Saturday, July 26-27  Questions were posed about Walter Lomax and whether he will be working on introducing bills again.  Transitional Housing for women – www.granthouse1.com

Our next meeting is scheduled for October and date will be forthcoming as soon as we confirm our space.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 PM