Project for Opportunity and Safety

Conservative & National Law Enforcement Leaders Continue to Speak Out in Support of Federal Criminal Justice Reform

FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon & Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Explain Why They Are Supporting Criminal Justice Reform

“Conservative States Like Georgia, South Carolina And Texas Have Created A New Model For Criminal Justice Reform.”  “Conservative states like Georgia, South Carolina and Texas have created a new model for criminal justice reform, one that seeks to address fundamental issues facing communities rather than only warehousing offenders.  Policymakers in these states created drug courts to divert low-level, nonviolent offenders into treatment programs, reformed sentencing policies to ensure that penalties more appropriately fit crimes, implemented rehabilitative programs to reduce recidivism, and lowered barriers to re-entry to offer second chances.  As a result, crime rates have fallen, recidivism has declined and public funds saved by reserving prison beds for violent offenders can be reallocated to substance-abuse and mental-health treatment programs and to vocational counseling.”  (Brandon-Cuccinelli Op-Ed, “Law Enforcement Should Embrace Conservative Justice Reform,” Daily Caller, 5/17/2016)

“Conservative Criminal Justice Reform Ensures Punishments That Fit The Crime.”  “Most importantly, it allows law enforcement to do its job of protecting our communities against the most dangerous people, not just minor criminals that are now going to be swept up in the web only because some politician thought it made him or her look ‘tough on crime.’  Conservative criminal justice reform ensures punishments that fit the crime, and it offers help to those who are willing to accept it to change their lives and become honest citizens.  Conservative states have paved the way to bring these reforms to the federal level. The culture of corrections is changing in a way that promotes public safety, and we hope more members of the law enforcement community from across the country will continue to embrace it.”  (Brandon-Cuccinelli Op-Ed, “Law Enforcement Should Embrace Conservative Justice Reform,” Daily Caller, 5/17/2016)

Head of National District Attorneys Association Reiterates Support for Reform

“The Time For Congress To Act Is Now.” “Fitzpatrick and sentencing reform advocates, however, say the time for Congress to act is now, and that reductions to mandatory minimums would be more meaningful than the reforms before it.  Almost half of all federal drug offenders who went to prison last year received mandatory minimum sentences. Only Congress can reduce mandatory minimums.”

William Fitzpatrick, President, National District Attorneys Association: “If I Lock Someone Up For Life, The Public Will Be Safe, Maybe, But The Family Will Also Be Destroyed And The Money Spent To Incarcerate Them Could Be Spent On Rehabilitation And Job Training.” “‘Look, I am not a softy,’ Fitzpatrick said. ‘I am just as concerned about public safety as Steven [Cook] is. But we can’t lose sight of the big picture. If I lock someone up for life, the public will be safe, maybe, but the family will also be destroyed and the money spent to incarcerate them could be spent on rehabilitation and job training.’” (Josh Siegel, “Is It Time for Criminal Justice Reform? 2 Law Enforcement Groups Are at Odds,” Daily Signal, 5/17/2016) 

Republican Senator Mike Lee Says This Is About “The Promotion Of Public Safety.”

Senator Lee: “Our Bill Better Protects The American People.” “The number one priority of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act is the promotion of public safety,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, a bill sponsor, told The Daily Signal. ‘Our criminal justice system is undermined when punishment delivered by the government does not fit the crime. Our bill better protects the American people by bringing balance back to federal sentencing.’” (Josh Siegel, “Is It Time for Criminal Justice Reform? 2 Law Enforcement Groups Are at Odds,” Daily Signal, 5/17/2016)