Prison reform as seen through the eyes of a conservative Politian

Conservative leaders are beginning to realize that the current correctional systems employed by 21 states are not up to par and have begun reforming them. One group, Right on Crime has begun altering the policies employed by states that will cut costs and rehabilitate offenders at the same time.This group takes political strategy to the front line in the battle of reforming our prisons.

Right On Crime’s Mission 

Under the incarceration-focused solution, societies were safer to the extent that dangerous people were incapacitated, but when offenders emerged from prison – with no job prospects, unresolved drug and mental health problems, and diminished connections to their families and communities – they were prone to return to crime. Right On Crime seeks to reform the prison systems of many states facing these issues by means of political bi-partisan action.

Initiatives taken by the group:

Conservative Republicans joined with Democrats in adopting incentive-based funding to strengthen the state's probation system in 2005. Then in 2007, they decided against building more prisons and instead opted to enhance proven community corrections approaches such as drug courts. The reforms are forecast to save $2 billion in prison costs over five years. Newt Gingich states that “Last year we both endorsed corrections reforms in South Carolina that will reserve costly prison beds for dangerous criminals while punishing low-risk offenders through lower-cost community supervision. The legislation was a bipartisan effort with strong support from liberals, conservatives, law enforcement, the judges and reform advocates. The state is expected to save $175 million in prison construction this year and $60 million in operating costs over the next several years.”