The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Mr. Buttigieg has released a plan to address racial <strong>in</strong>equities; Mr. Booker championed<br />
the First Step Act <strong>in</strong> the Senate; and Ms. Harris has called for legaliz<strong>in</strong>g recreational<br />
marijuana, among other <strong>in</strong>itiatives.<br />
<strong>The</strong> plans by both Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren call for spend<strong>in</strong>g what appears to be<br />
billions <strong>of</strong> dollars to remake the crim<strong>in</strong>al justice system — from regulat<strong>in</strong>g the behavior<br />
<strong>of</strong> police <strong>of</strong>ficers and seek<strong>in</strong>g to curb some <strong>of</strong> the discretionary authority <strong>of</strong> prosecutors<br />
to provid<strong>in</strong>g better mental health care <strong>in</strong>side prisons and jails.<br />
Mr. Sanders said he would triple federal outlays, to $14 billion annually, to prop up the<br />
falter<strong>in</strong>g public defender system, which provides aid for poor people accused <strong>of</strong> crimes.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> his plan, Mr. Sanders said he would establish a m<strong>in</strong>imum start<strong>in</strong>g salary for<br />
public defenders and cancel their student debt.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> crim<strong>in</strong>al justice system is rigged,” Mr. Sanders wrote <strong>in</strong> his proposal. “<strong>The</strong> United<br />
States has a crim<strong>in</strong>al justice system that is built to put the pr<strong>of</strong>it <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>of</strong> billion-dollar<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustries like the bail bondsman over the <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>of</strong> everyday, work<strong>in</strong>g people.”<br />
Page 61 <strong>of</strong> 262