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Statement of Principles STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES Jeb Bush Former Governor of Florida As members of the nation’s conservative movement, we strongly support constitutionally limited government, transparency, individual Newt Gingrich American Solutions for Winning the liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise. We believe public Future safety is a core responsibility of government because the establishment Grover Norquist of a well-functioning criminal justice system enforces order and respect Americans for Tax Reform for every person’s right to property and life, and ensures that liberty Edwin Meese III does not lead to license. Former U.S. Attorney General William J. Bennett Former Secretary of Education and Conservatives correctly insist that government services be evaluated on Federal “Drug Czar” whether they produce the best possible results at the lowest possible Asa Hutchinson cost, but too often this lens of accountability has not focused as much on Former U.S. Attorney and public safety policies as other areas of government. As such, corrections Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spending has expanded to become the second fastest growing area of Pat Nolan state budgets—trailing only Medicaid. Justice Fellowship David Keene Conservatives are known for being tough on crime, but we must also be Former Chairman of the American tough on criminal justice spending. That means demanding more cost- Conservative Union effective approaches that enhance public safety. A clear example is our Richard Viguerie ConservativeHQ.com reliance on prisons, which serve a critical role by incapacitating dangerous offenders and career criminals but are not the solution for Chuck Colson Prison Fellowship Ministries every type of offender. And in some instances, they have the unintended Brooke Rollins consequence of hardening nonviolent, low-risk offenders—making Texas Public Policy Foundation them a greater risk to the public than when they entered. Paul Gessing Rio Grande Foundation (NM) Applying the following conservative principles to criminal justice policy Tony Perkins is vital to achieving a cost-effective system that protects citizens, Family Research Council restores victims, and reforms wrongdoers. George Liebmann Calvert Institute for Policy Research, Inc. (MD) 1. As with any government program, the criminal justice system Rabbi Daniel Lapin must be transparent and include performance measures that American Alliance of Jews and hold it accountable for its results in protecting the public, Christians lowering crime rates, reducing re-offending, collecting victim Kelly McCutchen restitution and conserving taxpayers’ money. Georgia Public Policy Foundation Penny Nance Concerned Women for America 2. Crime victims, along with the public and taxpayers, are among the key “consumers” of the criminal justice system; the victim’s Ward Connerly American Civil Rights Institute and conception of justice, public safety, and the offender’s risk for former Regent of University of future criminal conduct should be prioritized when determining California an appropriate punishment. John J. DiIulio, Jr. University of Pennsylvania 3. The corrections system should emphasize public safety, personal Kevin Kane Pelican Institute for Public Policy responsibility, work, restitution, community service, and (LA) List of signatories continues on page two. Bob Williams State Budget Solutions treatment—both in probation and parole, which supervise most J. Robert McClure III offenders, and in prisons. James Madison Institute (FL) Matt Mayer 4. An ideal criminal justice system works to reform amenable Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions (OH) offenders who will return to society through harnessing the Viet Dinh power of families, charities, faith-based groups, and Georgetown University Law Center communities. and former U.S. Assistant Attorney General 5. Because incentives affect human behavior, policies for both John McCollister Platte Institute (NE) offenders and the corrections system must align incentives with Michael Carnuccio our goals of public safety, victim restitution and satisfaction, and Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs cost-effectiveness, thereby moving from a system that grows Ronald F. Scheberle when it fails to one that rewards results. American Legislative Exchange Council 6. Criminal law should be reserved for conduct that is either Eli Lehrer blameworthy or threatens public safety, not wielded to grow Heartland Institute government and undermine economic freedom. David Barton WallBuilders Matthew J. Brouillette These principles are grounded in time-tested conservative truths— Commonwealth Foundation (PA) constitutionally limited government, transparency, individual liberty, George Kelling personal responsibility, free enterprise, and the centrality of the family Manhattan Institute and community. All of these are critical to addressing today’s criminal Forest Thigpen justice challenges. It is time to apply these principles to the task of Mississippi Center for Public Policy delivering a better return on taxpayers’ investments in public safety. John Hood Our security, prosperity, and freedom depend on it. John Locke Foundation (NC) Craig Ladwig About Us Indiana Policy Review Foundation Right on Crime is a national initiative led by the Texas Public Policy Deborah Daniels Former U.S. Attorney and Assistant Foundation, one of the nation’s leading state-based conservative think U.S. Attorney General tanks. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the truly conservative Dominic M. Calabro position on criminal justice policy by demonstrating the growing Florida TaxWatch support for effective criminal justice reforms within the conservative Richard Doran movement. This initiative will share research and policy ideas, mobilize Former Florida Attorney General conservative leaders, and work to raise public awareness. Right on Crime couldn’t be timelier. With new majorities in 19 state legislatures and hundreds of new lawmakers who pledged to cut spending now taking office, Right on Crime provides conservative principled solutions that are proven to reduce crime, lower costs and restore victims. For more information, please visit www.rightoncrime.com. Signatures Last Updated: September 2, 2011 .
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