Until this past December, conservatives have often turned a blind eye to the excesses and failures of the criminal justice system. I was certainly guilty of that when I was in the California State Assembly. However, the current fiscal crisis, in which every state faces a deficit, has prompted these conservatives to speak out. They’re calling on their colleagues to demand the same accountability from corrections officials as they do from all other areas of public spending—and it’s about time.
In December, a group of prominent conservative leaders announced the “Right on Crime” campaign to encourage newly elected governors and legislators to make major reforms in the criminal justice system. This is a seismic shift in the political landscape with conservatives departing from the “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” philosophy that has dominated the political debate for the last several decades.
Among the prominent conservatives signing the “Right on Crime” statement of principles are former U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former drug czar Asa Hutchinson, Prison Fellowship Founder Chuck Colson, President of the Family Research Council Tony Perkins, President of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquist, Chairman of The American Conservative Union David Keene, and CEO of Concerned Women for America Penny Nance.
These luminaries were joined by leaders of a dozen conservative and libertarian think tanks across the country, led by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which has done yeoman’s work in bringing reform to Texas’s justice system.
Hit the Ground Running
The group is up front about their priorities: “The Conservative Case for Reform: Fighting Crime, Prioritizing Victims, and Protecting Taxpayers.”
They have already called on state officials to establish accountability measures to hold justice officials responsible for “protecting the public, lowering crime rates, reducing re-offending, collecting victim restitution, and conserving taxpayers’ money.”
In addition they support preparing inmates for their return to the community and greater involvement of families, charities, and faith-based groups in rehabilitating offenders. And they joined the growing movement of those troubled by the over-criminalizing of American society, stating, “Criminal law should be reserved for conduct that is either blameworthy or threatens public safety, not wielded to grow government and undermine economic freedom.”
This campaign should encourage the many conservatives who have been working for justice reform for years. They now have a group of prominent conservative leaders pressing for these common sense reforms. It also should please the many liberals who have worked so hard to bring change to the system. They now have stalwart conservative allies with great credibility and credentials to make clear that these reforms are not soft on crime.
Answered Prayers
I have worked hard to build support for criminal justice reform among conservatives. I have found that there has been much latent support among conservatives for significant reform. Six years ago I formed a “Conservative Working Group” which meets for lunch every few months to develop a critical mass of conservative leaders who would speak out forcefully in support of these reforms.
When I was told that the Texas Public Policy Foundation was establishing the “Right on Crime” campaign, it was an answered prayer. This campaign provides a framework for the members of JF’s working group to speak out together publicly and issue a call to arms for conservatives to join in the battle for criminal justice reform.
I truly think this is a turning point in the movement for practical justice reforms that have been proven effective at reducing crime and cutting costs. I hope you are encouraged by this, too. Please join us in this campaign for safer neighborhoods, fewer victims, and savings to the taxpayers.
To learn more about the “Right on Crime” campaign, visit their website by clicking here.