A fresh dialogue on criminal justice reform changes the game for 2024

We need criminal justice reform now more than ever. Despite advances in many aspects of American society, the treatment of people in prison remains shockingly inhumane.

Recent execution This study, conducted by Alabama’s Kenneth Smith using animal-specific methods in a veterinary setting, is an unforgettable testimony. This gruesome incident is not an isolated incident, but rather a stark reflection of the widespread abuse and dehumanization that permeates the American prison and criminal justice system.

Nevertheless, there are notable examples of both red and blue states passing bipartisan legislation to reform their systems. Move away from exploiting fear and adopt just policies. and challenge historical taboos on a national scale.

A notable shift in political discourse around the once-taboo phrase “criminal justice reform” has taken a step back amid the pandemic. Rapid increase in crime. public opinion Attitudes about crime and criminal justice have fundamentally changed in recent years, with a majority now favoring addressing the roots of crime over harsher sentencing by a 2-to-1 margin (65% to 32%). .

Some self-identified Republicans, who have traditionally supported punishment and execution, prefer a more reform-oriented approach.

The way we talk about criminal justice reform is evolving. Communities are now not only discussing punishment in response to individual crimes, but also considering public health, mental health, and the reality that harsh prison sentences alone will not keep us safe.

Looking back over the past year, we see that criminal justice reform has re-emerged as a bipartisan priority across the country. Many major criminal justice advocacy groups believe 2023 will be the most productive year in a long time. Last year, 35 states passed laws recognizing the inequities in the current system..

• In Pennsylvania, House Bill 900, the bill, known as the Incarcerated Women’s Dignity Act, passed unanimously. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and State Rep. Mike Jones (R-York), would enshrine fair and humane treatment of women in Pennsylvania law, and would It banned shackles and solitary confinement and provided trauma-informed training. Measures such as prison officers interacting with pregnant people.
• Cinetra Freeman of Mississippi found that many of the people who came through her reentry organization were struggling to pay child support that had ballooned while serving time in prison. She is a justice-affected person herself and recognized the need for this change to the remaining drain of her incarceration.she worked together Republican Congressmen and Dream.Org, where I am the lead advocacy officer. passing the bill Freeze payments while incarcerated. Mississippi judges are required to consider incarceration when modifying child support payment plans, rather than treating incarceration as voluntary unemployment.
• In Kentucky, a group of harm reduction activists, primarily from Appalachia, partnered with Republican lawmakers to push legislation. Decriminalizing fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl is a leading cause of drug overdoses and is unlikely to be wiped off the streets anytime soon. Until this bill was enacted, test strips were accepted as evidence of drug paraphernalia and criminal offenses. This life-saving measure was passed unanimously, ensuring that people who carry life-saving equipment for their own safety or the safety of others will not be penalized.
• In Washington, formerly incarcerated activist Eugene Youngblood partnered with local organizations and encouraged members of Congress to prevent it. juvenile record This will ensure that if the person is charged with further crimes as an adult, the person will not be used as material to enhance the sentence. The new bill would prevent the perpetuation of prejudice against racial minorities and consider individual development as people age.

Without continued bipartisan cooperation, there is no guarantee how long the space for change will remain open. As Smith’s case shows, the policies of the entire criminal justice system remain inhumane. This emphasizes the urgency of seizing this moment. Dream.Org’s strategy has always been focused on a strong, long-term vision to end mass incarceration by winning reform wherever we can identify breakthroughs.

Alabama’s development is not enough to derail the positive momentum in 2023. The stage is set for a reform-friendly trajectory that resonates in the upcoming election year, offering a glimmer of hope for a more just and equitable future. This moment underscores that without continued support from both sides, the progress achieved so far will not be sustained.

In next year’s elections and campaigns, we cannot lose sight of what we are trying to win together.

Janos Marton is the Chief Advocacy Officer at Dream.Org. Marton ran for Manhattan District Attorney in 2020 on the platform of responsible incarceration and continues to support policies that prioritize people over prisons.