As a divided Pennsylvania legislature considers additional criminal justice reforms this session, the Justice Action Network released a poll showing that Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly support expanding the state’s 2018 Clean Slate law and believe the justice system needs improvement.

A January 2023 poll has shown that while Louisiana voters are concerned about crime, they’re thinking about public safety solutions in nuanced, and evidence-based ways, including support for key criminal justice reform policies aimed at reducing recidivism and using tax dollars efficiently.

Conducted July 20-22, 2022, a poll of 500 registered voters in Iowa showed broad bipartisan support for data-driven criminal justice policy. Among other findings, the poll revealed that there’s a strong sentiment that the federal government should focus more on treatment for drug addicts than prosecuting drug addicts — with nearly three-quarters of respondents saying that the government should provide treatment instead of prosecuting addicts, including 64% of Republicans.

Conducted between January 15 and January 18, 2022, a poll of 500 likely voters in Missouri found broad bipartisan agreement that the state’s criminal justice system needs reform. The sentiment was shared across key demographic groups, including majorities of Republicans (62%), households which include victims of violent crime (79%), as well as law enforcement households (70%).

A survey of registered voters in Utah found broad bipartisan support for data-driven criminal justice reform. Conducted between July 20 and July 22, 2021, the poll found that, among other things, 62% of voters believe the criminal justice system needs significant improvements, including nearly 7 in 10 independents. And that need for reform extends beyond the state, with more than 80% of voters agreeing that the federal government is spending too much money locking up low-level drug offenders and should instead shift funding to other pressing public safety priorities like violent crime, expanded treatment, and funding for law enforcement.

When asked about specific parts of the pretrial process an overwhelming majority of those surveyed expressed support for the use of risk assessment in pre-trial decision making — 92% overall, including 76% who strongly supported the use of risk assessment. Additionally, 97% of respondents said that risk to public safety should be the most important factor in the decision to detain or release someone prior to trial.