Tom Harden (District 58)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Tom Harden

Office Sought House of Delegates - 58

City/Town Berkeley Springs

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

Legalize and Control the sale of marijuana and allow those who are incarcerated on a simple marijuana charge to go free saving our state excessive tax money.

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?

Civil asset forfeiture should only be in cases where there is a criminal conviction and I would support reforms to make this happen.

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?

Increasing the number of judges to facilitate faster court proceedings would assist with this problem. Also, increasing the number of probation officers and having supervised probation prior to trial could help to allow those unable to make bail be out of jail with supervision. Saving the state money.

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?

More intense use of mental health therapy and probation officers working with the entire family not just the juvenile.

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

Supplying shuttles to and from the voting precinct. Make the day a holiday from work so workers could be available to vote.

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?

I support this 100 percent.

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 support this because we are all equal and it is not our place to judge anyone based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

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 the refugees that are seeking asylum from persecution in their homeland as long as they are following legal pursuits to gain citizenship in this country.

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?

I believe abortion is over used and should only be used if the patient and the doctor feel there is imminent danger to mom or baby. Too many people want children and cannot have them adoption is a perfect solution.