RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice released its list of recommendations for Gov. Roy Cooper to consider, aimed at achieving racially fair outcomes and increase accountability of law enforcement and criminal justice systems.
Attorney General Josh Stein and Associate Justice Anita Earls, are co-chairs of the task force established in June 2020, after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others at the hands of law enforcement officers.
Stein said Monday that far too long Black and white people have not been treated equally.
“This failure has caused real harm,” said Stein of the disparity. “I’m grateful to every person who has worked on this Task Force, as well as people across the state who have volunteered their time and shared their experiences with us. Our report identifies opportunities for real change to make the criminal justice system fairer for every North Carolinian. I look forward to continuing this necessary work.”
Much of the 123 recommendations listed would require legislative and state policy change, others would require task force collaboration.
Among the recommendations, the task force is advocating for marijuana decriminalization actions such as decriminalizing possession up to 1.5 ounces, deprioritize marijuana-related arrests and prosecution and…
