We can change these racist policies
Over the last 40 years, the American prison population has skyrocketed thanks to racist policies and practices that target black and brown members of our communities. It's long past time to end our cultural affinity for mass incarceration. I want my colleagues in Congress to join me in:
- Passing sentencing reforms. Many low-level, non-violent offenses should not merit prison time.
- Fully acknowledging and eliminating the racial bias in our laws and sentencing guidelines.
- Eliminating mandatory sentencing. Let judges be judges.
- Strengthening the parole and probation system.
- Creating more alternatives to locking people up.
- Properly funding rehabilitation and addiction programs, and ending the costly and failed "War on Drugs."
- Eliminating for-profit prisons, because corporations shouldn't profit off mass incarceration.
Lawmakers can take concrete steps to restore justice in our communities right now. Sign the petition: Reform America's broken prison system and end mass incarceration.
The United States is the world's leading jailer, and it's not even that close. Except for Russia, we imprison more than double the percentage of our population than nearly every other country in the world. It's not only embarrassing — it's ruining lives and tearing American families apart.
Lawmakers must take concrete steps to restore justice in our communities right now. Sign the petition: Reform America's broken prison system and end mass incarceration.
Jim
