Lucas, The Death in Custody Reporting Act - or
DICRA - is an important piece of legislation. It requires the DOJ to collect
data regarding deaths of citizens while in the criminal justice system.
Yet this legislation which was passed first in 2000 and again in 2014
is still not being enforced.
DICRA requires all Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) and Medical Examiners
(ME) to fill out a brief 23 question - recently reduced to 18 question
- report for any person who dies, no matter the cause, while interacting
with the criminal justice system. DICRA also gives the DOJ the right to
withhold 10% of federal grant funds to any agency that did not comply
with the reporting requirements.
The problem is the data is not currently being compiled for public consumption.
Some of the LEA’s and ME’s that never stopped submitting their
reports are likely still doing so but the report that the DOJ is supposed
to provide to Congress within two years of the Act being re-passed in
2014 is yet to be seen. Without data on custody and arrest related deaths
legislators can't pass - or study the effectiveness of - bills meant
to reduce deaths and police misconduct.
Sign if you agree: Data collected under DICRA is invaluable to legislators
and the public and should be a top priority for the Department of Justice.
This data will aid legislators in determining what steps need to be taken
to ensure that all American citizens are treated with respect and dignity
even when interacting with the criminal justice system.
If you agree the data DICRA requires the DOJ to collect is vital to improving
our criminal justice system, protecting American citizens and law enforcement
officials and rebuilding the trust between Law Enforcement Agencies and citizens
sign the petition to Department of Justice.
Keep Fighting,
Carissa Miller, Daily Kos