AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation announced today that Sarah Rumpf and Derek Cohen have joined their team. Rumpf will serve as the Strategic Communications Manager for the Foundation’s Right on Crime initiative and Cohen will be a policy analyst for the Center for Effective Justice, the Foundation’s host center for the Right on Crime effort.

Rumpf is an experienced communications strategist with a strong background in new media and campaigns, and is licensed to practice law in Florida.

“One of the first campaigns I managed was for the reelection of a State Attorney in Florida,” said Rumpf. “Working directly with him and the prosecutors in his office, I was able to see firsthand the benefits of programs like diversion options for nonviolent first-time offenders, juvenile anti-truancy efforts, and drug rehabilitation. It’s an amazing opportunity to now be able to advocate for these types of common-sense criminal justice reforms that protect communities, respect victims, and offer those ex-offenders committed to transforming their lives the best opportunities to be productive members of society.”

Prior to joining the Foundation, Cohen was a research associate with University of Cincinnati’s Institute of Crime Science, where he is currently completing his Ph.D. dissertation on the long-term costs and outcomes associated with correctional programming.

“I am both honored and excited to be joining the team at the Center for Effective Justice and Right on Crime,” said Cohen. “For too long, the costly ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key’ mentality pervaded the politics surrounding criminal justice, demanding little proof of efficacy. The winds have changed.  We are seeing returns on  strategic investments made in the criminal justice system – including more accurately assessing offender risk, improving the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, reducing recidivism, and enacting sensible reform of the criminal law – all while preserving public safety.  I look forward to working with Right on Crime to continue the great strides they have made in recent years.”

“Adding Sarah and Derek has strengthened our Right on Crime team,” said Brooke Rollins, President and CEO of the Foundation. “Sarah brings energy and a wealth of campaign and communication strategy experience while Derek’s academic training provides a new capability to our policy team, particularly in the crucial area of juvenile justice.”

“Sarah brings tremendous momentum to what is already a successful, burgeoning movement in the criminal justice policy area,” said Marc Levin, Director of the Foundation’s Center for Effective Justice and Policy Director for Right on Crime. “Her extensive campaign experience will enhance our ability to communicate our policies with the media. On the policy side, Derek brings to the table a depth of knowledge on our key policy priorities and vital skills in analyzing the effectiveness of various justice programs.”

 

Brooke Rollins is President and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

 

Marc Levin is Director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

 

Sarah Rumpf is the Strategic Communications Manager for Right on Crime.

 

Derek Cohen is a policy analyst with Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Effective Justice.

 

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin.