By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
In a significant move aimed at protecting the rights of families with incarcerated loved ones, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) and Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) reintroduced the bipartisan Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act on Dec. 11.
Photo: (Photo courtesy of ISO Republic/ Matthew Henry)
The statute seeks to ensure that families are promptly notified in a compassionate manner if a loved one in custody suffers a serious illness, injury or death. The bill comes at a crucial time when issues surrounding the treatment of inmates and their families have garnered increased attention, particularly in marginalized communities.
In a statement obtained by the AFRO, Kamlager-Dove said that families deserve to know the status of their relatives who are behind bars.
“Parents, children, and siblings deserve to know about the well-being of their family members,” she said. “However, our current prison system does not require correctional facilities to notify the families of incarcerated people if their loved ones are seriously ill, injured, or deceased.”
The Democratic lawmaker highlighted the profound emotional impact that the absence of communication can have on families.
Under the proposed legislation, the U.S. Department of Justice would be tasked with establishing best practices for family notification, providing centralized guidance to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as well as state and local correctional facilities.
The need for such a bill is underscored by tragic incidents, such as the case of Wakiesha Wilson, a Black woman who died in custody in 2016 without her family being informed of her condition. After her tragic death while incarcerated at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center, her family was not directly informed of her passing. It took them 18 days to finally see her at the Los Angeles morgue, a delay that compounded their grief and suffering.
This incident highlights the systemic failures that can occur within the correctional system, disproportionately affecting Black families who are often already navigating complex social and economic challenges.
“No one should have to experience the agony of the unknown, which is why this bill is so important,” Kamlager-Dove said..
Sen. Ossoff echoed these sentiments, saying in a statement that this happens too frequently.
“Too often, the families of those incarcerated never find out about a serious illness, a life-threatening injury, or even the death of a loved one behind bars,” he said. “That’s why we are introducing this bipartisan reform legislation.”
The implications of this legislation are particularly vital for Black families, who are disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system. Black individuals are overrepresented in prisons and jails, and the psychological and emotional toll on their families can be devastating. Ensuring timely communication about the health and safety of incarcerated loved ones is a critical step toward addressing some of the systemic inequities that these families face.
Lisa and Sheila Hines, Wakiesha Wilson’s mother and aunt, expressed their support for the reintroduction of the bill.
In a joint statement obtained by the AFRO, the pair said that they are “encouraged” by the lawmakers efforts to bring about prison reform.
“We worked hard for many years on this with BLMLA support and are encouraged to see it finally reintroduced,” said the sisters. “Wakiesha’s Law will help to ensure that no other family has to endure the agony our family did.”
The Hines sisters’ experience underscores the urgent need for legislative changes that prioritize the well-being of both incarcerated individuals and their families.
As the Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act moves forward, its proponents hope it will not only establish essential communication protocols but also foster a more humane correctional system. By addressing the emotional needs of families, especially those from marginalized communities, this legislation represents a crucial step towards a more equitable justice system that recognizes the humanity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
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