The Hill: Jason Emert and Jenna Moll: The criminal justice system's top job: Breaking the cycle of crime
Some observers might be surprised to find that conservatives have taken the lead in addressing this systemic problem in many states. However, criminal justice reform fits squarely within conservative principles: with smart reforms, we’re able to achieve lower crime rates, spend fewer tax dollars on government programs, and safely reduce prison populations that have been ballooning and eating through state budgets for decades.
Politics aside, our justice system should create accountability, rehabilitate those who have chosen to break the law, and remove the stigma of a criminal record for those who have paid their debt. By doing that, former offenders can more easily reintegrate into society and find opportunity in gainful employment instead of a life of crime.
That leads to better outcomes for everyone: former offenders can break the cycle of incarceration; communities enjoy lower crime rates and higher levels of safety, and states save millions and even billions of dollars in spending on their prison systems. By focusing on reentry and rehabilitation while inmates are serving their sentences, we can make a lasting impact on how our justice system prepares individuals for life after prison. Positive results are piling up across the country, and it’s time for other states and the federal government to follow suit.