Notes On Probation and Parole from New York City
Scott Peyton | December 19, 2019
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan described the Statue of Liberty as a “beacon of hope.” This icon of Liberty and Democracy has been a “beacon of hope” for so…
My Two Cents on Judicial Discretion in Florida
Chelsea Murphy | December 10, 2019
What happens when Florida voters are unhappy with the performance of an elected official, such as an elected district attorney? They have the opportunity to vote them out of…
HB 427: Price Tag Switching
Isabelle Paine | June 25, 2019
Proportionality is paramount to an effective criminal justice system, and the 86th Texas Legislature took a step forward this session by passing House Bill 427. Someone who attempts to…
Is Pro-Liberty Really Anti-Police?
Randy Petersen | May 31, 2019
The Texas Public Policy Foundation worked hard this legislative session to limit the practice of making a custodial arrest (handcuffs and ride in a squad car) for offenses that…
Unions Alarmingly Misrepresent SB 815
Randy Petersen | May 23, 2019
When the legislature creates a criminal statute that is punishable by a fine alone, meaning that incarceration is not a potential consequence even if the offender is found guilty…
Reducing Barriers to Occupational Licensing
Haley Holik | May 21, 2019
Evidence suggests maintaining a job reduces the chance of recidivism. It is difficult to pinpoint why employment is a contributing factor to successful reentry. Though a job is clearly…
Louisiana Bill Advances to Allow Hospice Workers to Continue Work Beyond Prison Walls
Scott Peyton | May 16, 2019
As part of my training to become a Catholic Deacon, I spent time one summer working with a local hospice organization. I joined along with a hospice worker as…
Texas Lawmakers Should Prioritize Grand Jury Reform
Haley Holik | May 14, 2019
Grand jury reform is gaining momentum in Texas. But as the 86th Legislative Session nears curtain, lawmakers need to prioritize Chair Whitmire’s SB 1492 to help restore the grand…
Why is it so Hard to Reform Criminal Justice?
Randy Petersen | May 10, 2019
Policing is a core function of government, one of its few necessary functions, but is also the most intrusive institution in all of government. A deliberate restraint on government’s…
Dignity for Incarcerated Women
Kaycie Alexander | May 7, 2019
On both the federal and state level an overwhelming percentage of inmates are male. It is unsurprising, then, that correctional policies sometimes overlook issues unique to incarcerated women. As…
Results-Oriented Solutions for Probation Funding
Right on Crime | May 3, 2019
Right on Crime policy analyst Michael Haugen examines various performance-based probation funding models across the country, which base their formulas upon the ability of probation departments to expand supervision…
Grand Jury Reform in Texas
Haley Holik | May 3, 2019
In Texas, any person accused of committing a felony has the right to a grand jury. Without historical context, though, one may wonder why Texas even bothered enshrining such…