A Campaign to Stop Investment in Mass Incarceration
Tell the Louisville Metro Council to focus on community care, not cages
In March 2022, the Louisville Metro Council hired former FBI agent David Beyer to conduct an investigation into the problems plaguing LMDC.
Mr. Beyer summarized his findings to the council in March 2023, pointing to a host of problems: leadership shortcomings, inadequate staffing, a failure to adhere to basic security protocol, an inadequate and antiquated facility, and poor coordination between medical care staff and corrections officers.
Instead of recommending a set of solutions that would address this wide range of issues, Mr. Beyer's report focuses on one solution that does not have the support of the community and will not fix LMDC’s problems: a new jail.
Mr. Beyer's report ignores a fundamental question:
Why are so many people in jail in the first place?
A new jail doesn’t address this question.
A new jail is a false solution.
It’s another failed strategy, and we do not support it.
Tell Metro Council You Don't Support a New Jail
There are lots of ways to take action:
1. Email your metro council member
- Use this map to find out who your Metro Council member is.
- After you locate your Metro Council member, find the information box in the upper right-hand corner of the map and click on the link for your district's webpage.
- Once you're on the district webpage, click on the link to contact your Metro Council member. The link will be in the blue menu on the left-hand side of the page.
- Fill out the contact form with you information.
- You're welcome to use this email template for the body of your message.
2. MEET WITH YOUR METRO COUNCIL MEMBER
Let us know if you'd like to meet with your Metro Council member. We’ll provide training and support, including putting you in touch with others in your district. Email us at louisvillesurj@gmail.com
3. Attend an upcoming Metro Council meeting
We are making our opposition to the construction of a new jail visible evident at the Metro Council meetings. We invite you to join us.
Council Meetings are held in the Metro Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of Historic City Hall, located at 601 West Jefferson Street. You can enter the building at the 6th Street entrance or the Congress Alley entrance, which is handicap accessible.
Want to speak at a Metro Council Meeting? Email us and let us know: louisvillesurj@gmail.com. Our goal is to have two people speak at each meeting.
Check the Metro Council agenda for upcoming meetings.
Council Meetings are held in the Metro Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of Historic City Hall, located at 601 West Jefferson Street. You can enter the building at the 6th Street entrance or the Congress Alley entrance, which is handicap accessible.
Want to speak at a Metro Council Meeting? Email us and let us know: louisvillesurj@gmail.com. Our goal is to have two people speak at each meeting.
Check the Metro Council agenda for upcoming meetings.
4. Add your organization's name to our open letter to Metro Council
More than a dozen organizations sent an open letter to Metro Council on April 26, 2023, letting them know that we do not support the construction of a new jail. Read the letter here.
Email us if you'd like to add your organization as a signatory to the letter: louisvillesurj@gmail.com
Email us if you'd like to add your organization as a signatory to the letter: louisvillesurj@gmail.com
5. Comment on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024
The mayor's proposed budget is available here.
The public is invited to participate in the budget process and share their thoughts. The online form for written comments is available here. It will close on Wednesday, June 7, at 5:00 p.m.
Please submit a comment letting the Metro Council know that you do not want them to add funding for a new jail to the proposed budget. (Choose "Other" from among the options on the form.)
The public is invited to participate in the budget process and share their thoughts. The online form for written comments is available here. It will close on Wednesday, June 7, at 5:00 p.m.
Please submit a comment letting the Metro Council know that you do not want them to add funding for a new jail to the proposed budget. (Choose "Other" from among the options on the form.)
6. Attend the May 30 community forum on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024
The mayor's proposed budget is available here.
The public is invited to participate in the budget process and share their thoughts. The Committee’s schedule will include an opportunity for the public to speak about the budget in-person in Metro Council Chambers on the third floor of Historic City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, on Tuesday, May 30, at 6:00 p.m.
We invite you to join us in attending the forum. We will have several speakers present.
Speakers may sign up in-person beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Sign ups will be open for one hour and will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will have up to three minutes to address the Council about the proposed budget.
The public is invited to participate in the budget process and share their thoughts. The Committee’s schedule will include an opportunity for the public to speak about the budget in-person in Metro Council Chambers on the third floor of Historic City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, on Tuesday, May 30, at 6:00 p.m.
We invite you to join us in attending the forum. We will have several speakers present.
Speakers may sign up in-person beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Sign ups will be open for one hour and will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will have up to three minutes to address the Council about the proposed budget.