The United States has a disproportionately high number of prisoners compared to its population, and the criminal justice system is heavily biased against people of color. Overcrowding in prisons and jails is a result of criminal justice policy, not an increase in crime rates, and it has a negative effect on the ability of prison systems to provide basic necessities such as healthcare, food, and shelter. To address this issue, most states have implemented criminal justice reforms in recent years to reduce the prison population without compromising public safety. However, these reforms have not been comprehensive enough to make a significant impact on the prison population.
Making Law and Policy that Work is a guide for those who are responsible for creating a legislative framework for criminal justice and criminal justice systems. It is designed for both experts and non-experts who need to understand the complexities of criminal justice reform. To reduce overcrowding in prisons and jails, it is essential to create comprehensive criminal justice reforms that are tailored to the needs of each state. This includes reforming sentencing laws, expanding alternatives to incarceration, increasing access to rehabilitation services, and improving conditions in prisons and jails.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that these reforms are implemented equitably across all communities. Criminal justice reform is a complex issue that requires knowledge from multiple disciplines. It is essential that policymakers work together with experts from various fields to create effective reforms that will reduce overcrowding in prisons and jails while also protecting public safety.
