Danielle Walker - District 51 | ACLU West Virginia

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Danielle Walker

Office Sought House of Delegates District 51, Monongalia

City/Town Morgantown

From 1980 to 2016 the West Virginia state prison population has increased by 470%. What, if anything, would you change to reverse this trend?

I would change the bail program in the state. People should not be incarcerated because they are poor. Everyone should be innocent until proven guilty. The probation period after someone is incarcerated should be abolished. As an incarcerated person is released, each system is purpose is to seek failure. There's no guarantee of employment even though the state and prison system make money off of labor of the incarcerated population.

Civil asset forfeiture is a process where police can seize any property "related" to criminal activity and later can file a civil case to forfeit the property to either be used or auctioned for money which is shared between the police department and local prosecutor. This can happen regardless of whether there is a criminal conviction or even criminal charges brought against a person.Proponents say this is a useful tool for taking ill-gotten gains from criminals and funding police work, and that legal protections adequately prevent abuse of the system.Critics say the system amounts to theft, that many people cannot afford the legal costs to challenge a forfeiture action, and that it creates a perverse incentive for police.Do you support or oppose the practice of civil asset forfeiture? What, if any, reforms would you make to the practice?

I oppose the practice of civil asset forfeiture. It's thief. Guilty by association has been a tool to seek the oppressed. It's another tool of intimidation.

More than half the population of West Virginia's regional jails are pre-trial. That means they haven't been found guilty of any crime yet. Most are there because they could not afford bail, though some are there because they were denied a chance to post bail. What changes, if any would you make to our pretrial and/or bail system to balance concerns about safety and court efficiency with ensuring we are not incarcerating people without due process?

Bail system is to keep poor people in the system. A bail system should be based on the crime. It should be the magistrates and judges responsibility to tell all alleged persons what their rights are. Due process is one of the many liberties that are often forgotten.

In 2015 West Virginia passed significant reforms to the juvenile justice system. Despite these reforms, the State still utilizes out of home placement at a high rate for system-involved youth. What, if anything, should West Virginia do to reduce out-of-home placements for system-involved juveniles?

West Virginia should adopt a mentoring program to reduce out-of-home placements for system-involved juveniles. A caseworker and/or social worker should be assigned to the family unity. Any decision should be a family plan. Many juveniles are suffering from trauma. Mental health is healthcare. Once a month, the state should offer a weekend meditation for juveniles.

West Virginia has a very low voter participation rate. What changes, if any, would you make to increase voter participation?

I would increase voter participation by elimination voter suppression. Get out the vote initiatives should start in jails if a person is incarcerated for a misdemeanor. As a person is released from corrections, the home plan should include the option to register to vote; so, the person will not fear a violation. As a person has completed parole, the option to register to vote should be mandated by WV code.

Over the past few years, there has been legislation aimed at requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools, allowing a Bible-based elective, or faith-based drug prevention electives. What is your stance on incorporating religion into the public schools?

If all religions are not included in these teachings, the public school system should not allow any Bible-based electives. Students and parents should have the Freedom and Choice of separation of church and state. Who will be qualified to teach these programs?

At least 20 states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. 13 West Virginia municipalities have similar protections. Do you support or oppose a statewide law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in West Virginia? Why?

I do support a statewide law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in West Virginia because it is not my place to govern anyone's bedroom. Love is love. Hate has no home here, there, or anywhere. It's amazing that we are still fighting these human rights battles as it was for people of color, women, repro rights, interracial couples. No one should fear losing their home, job, or rights to public accommodations for living their TRUTH.

In December 2019, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia would continue accepting refugees. Do you support or oppose accepting refugees in West Virginia? Under what conditions? Why?

I support accepting refugees in West Virginia because everyone is human. I can only imagine fleeing to another country for the fear of losing your life. America is boastful of stating the land of the free and the home of the brave; yet, there's a deaf tone sentiment of "our own". How soon many forget that their family or immigrants. You get the pleasure of stating immigrants and I get the hurt of stating cargo.

Q10

Over the past few years, some states have continued to erode protections and access to abortion care. Other states have done the opposite and codified abortion rights that had previously been defined by courts. Do you favor further restrictions to abortion, expanding or codifying abortion rights, or taking no action on abortion?

Abortion is healthcare. Until a vasectomy has restrictions, I support abortion has no restrictions. It is the most controversial medical treatment in both genders. A male may do as he please with his reproductive system. Yet, a woman is repeatedly dehumanized for choosing when to become a parent. Government has no right to dictate parenthood because government will not legislate taking financial responsibility for the family unit. If pro-life was real, issue with child support would not exist. Not my body. Not my choice.