Project for Opportunity and Safety

State Leaders From Across The Country Voice Support For Federal Criminal Justice Reform

Colorado: Rick Raemisch, Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) Executive Director

Raemisch: “Our Criminal Justice System Is Overburdened And Costly, And Is Not Making Us Safer.” “Our criminal justice system is overburdened and costly, and is not making us safer. As executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC), the safety of Coloradans is my first priority. Every day I work to ensure that dangerous people are behind bars; that our prisons are both secure and environments conducive to rehabilitation; and that when our prisoners have completed their sentences, they are equipped with skills and support to make their transition back into our communities as successful as possible.” (Rick Raemisch, “Smarter Policies For Safer Communities,” The Denver Post, 5/13/16)

• “My Experience Has Taught Me That Good Crime Control Policy Is Not About Locking Everyone Up, It’s About Locking The Right People Up.” “Unfortunately, our nation’s current approach to criminal justice makes my job more difficult. My experience has taught me that good crime control policy is not about locking everyone up, it’s about locking the right people up. However, in our current system, too many individuals are being given unnecessarily harsh sentences for even low-level, non-violent crimes.” (Rick Raemisch, “Smarter Policies For Safer Communities,” The Denver Post, 5/13/16)

Mississippi: Brad Pigott, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi

Pigott: “I’ve Joined With 130 Other Current And Former Law Enforcement Officials From Around The Country To Form Law Enforcement Leaders To Reduce Crime And Incarceration.” “As a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, I’ve joined with 130 other current and former law enforcement officials from around the country to form Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration. We think it’s possible to reduce crime and incarceration at the same time.” (Brad Pigott, “Pigott: US Needs Criminal Justice Reform,” The Clarion-Ledger, 5/17/16)

• “Through Both Experience And Data, We Know That Reducing Unnecessary Arrests, Prosecutions And Incarceration Can Reduce Recidivism And Strengthen Relationships With The Communities We Protect.” “Through both experience and data, we know that reducing unnecessary arrests, prosecutions and incarceration can reduce recidivism and strengthen relationships with the communities we protect. Furthermore, we must use the limited resources available in the most efficient and effective way possible, proving to our communities we value the funding they provide to us.” (Brad Pigott, “Pigott: US Needs Criminal Justice Reform,” The Clarion-Ledger, 5/17/16)

Florida: Dominic M. Calabro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida TaxWatch and Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU of Florida

Calabro and Simon: “An Overwhelming Majority Of Likely Voters In The Sunshine State, Regardless Of Political Affiliation, Agree That The Current Criminal-Justice System Imprisons Too Many For Too Long, That Mandatory-Minimum Sentences Should Be Replaced And Judges Should Have Greater Discretion In Determining Sentences.” “We polled likely voters in Florida and five other key 2016 battleground states, and it’s clear there is a strong consensus on this issue. An overwhelming majority of likely voters in the Sunshine State, regardless of political affiliation, agree that the current criminal-justice system imprisons too many for too long, that mandatory-minimum sentences should be replaced and judges should have greater discretion in determining sentences.” (Howard Simon and Dominic M. Calabro, “Lawmakers Must Back Criminal-Justice Reform,” Orlando Sentinel, 5/17/16)

• “Voters In Florida And Across The Country Realize That We Have To Act Smart, And We Have To Act Now.” “Regardless of which side of the political aisle you sit on, the numbers in support of criminal-justice reform can’t be ignored. Voters in Florida and across the country realize that we have to act smart, and we have to act now.” (Howard Simon and Dominic M. Calabro, “Lawmakers Must Back Criminal-Justice Reform,” Orlando Sentinel, 5/17/16)

Montana: State Sen. Nels Swandal (R-Wilsall), previously served as Park County Attorney and District Court Judge for Park and Sweet Grass Counties

Swandal: “The SRCA Is A Measured Approach That Has Attracted Significant Support From Conservative Republicans And Liberal Democrats Alike.” “The SRCA is a measured approach that has attracted significant support from conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats alike. That’s rare in Washington these days. So let’s encourage our congressional delegation to work to keep the momentum going.” (Nels Swandal, “Guest Opinion: Justice Reform Bill Will Add Common Sense To Federal Sentencing,” Billings Gazette, 5/11/16)

•  “Thank You, Sen. Daines, For Taking A Leadership Role On A Difficult Issue. It Really Will Make A Difference For Montana And Our Nation.” (Nels Swandal, “Guest Opinion: Justice Reform Bill Will Add Common Sense To Federal Sentencing,” Billings Gazette, 5/11/16)