Today the movers and shakers in criminal justice reform have met in the nation’s capitol to discuss viable options in the future. The surprising number of bipartisan supports of this movement shows that this truly is a pertinent issue. The strong presence of liberty-minded leaders shows that this is a pertinent conservative issue.
Along with liberal co-hosts, Newt Gingrich and Pat Nolan – both Right on Crime signatories – led the Bipartisan Summit on Criminal Justice Reform. ACLU and Koch Industries sponsored the event together, and Koch has been a proud voice on the subject, urging a new look at a system that needs to be “more sane and humane, follow the bill of rights, [and] honor the dignity of individuals and the rights that they have.”
In past years the criminal justice system has expanded and bloated, gobbling up funds and taxpayer dollars left and right. Recent evidence has shown that this is not necessary for public safety, and that many states – conservative and southern states leading the charge – have begun significantly lowering their incarceration rates while also lowering the crime rate in their state.
Conservative principles such as liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility are served well by this broadened discussion.