As Americans face the prospect of continued divided government and partisan gridlock, a Washington Monthly article offers hope for bi-partisan cooperation on a surprising issue: crime.
In “The Conservative War on Prisons” David Dagan and Steven Teles report that serious criminal justice reform efforts are in high gear in several states these days, with conservatives taking the lead. Well, that is something that is bound to right a few ships!
“The article chronicles the work we have done over the past 15 years to motivate evangelicals and political conservatives to support fundamental changes in our criminal justice system,” says Justice Fellowship president Pat Nolan. “Our reforms are supported by governors and legislative leaders in both parties around the country.”
Once a “lock them up and throw away the key” advocate, Nolan is a former Republican Leader of the California State Assembly who became a passionate advocate for reforms after seeing the other side of prison bars while serving 33 months in prison for racketeering.
Nolan and Justice Fellowship have been at the forefront of the Right on Crime movement, which includes such conservative leaders as former Attorney General Ed Meese, former Governor Jeb Bush, former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett, former Drug Czar Asa Hutchinson, and former Speaker Newt Gingrich. Reforms advocated by Justice Fellowship have become law in South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Louisiana.
Interview opportunities with Pat Nolan can be arranged by contacting Bill Alexander at 703-554-8503 bill_alexander@pfm.org
