Lots of recommendations for criminal justice reform for the incoming Biden Administration
The PBS News Hour has this recent piece headlined “What a Biden administration could mean for criminal justice reform,” and it does a nice job providing a broad overview of the wide array of issues of concern to criminal justice reform advocates. Here is the first paragraph of the extended piece:
President-elect Joe Biden will face pressure when he takes office to make swift changes to the Department of Justice. But while he’ll be able to implement some reforms on his own, expected pushback from Congress and legal fights could make it hard for Biden to deliver many of the sweeping criminal justice reforms that advocates say are necessary.
I recommend the PBS piece for a quick and summary account of “the sweeping criminal justice reforms that advocates say are necessary.” But anyone interested in a fuller accounting of criminal justice issues of interest and concern on the eve of a new administration, be sure to check out these three big recent reports from prominent reform organizations setting forth ideas and recommendations for the incoming Biden Administration:
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From the Brennan Center, “Transition 2020–2021: A Federal Agenda for Criminal Justice Reform“
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From Fair and Just Prosecution, “How the Biden-Harris Administration Can Advance Criminal Justice Reform“
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From The Justice Roundtable, “Transformative Justice: Recommendation for the New Administration and the 117th Congress“
There reports collectively run well over a hundred pages, which serves to highlight just how robust and agenda some groups have for criminal justice reform as we anticipate a new administration and Congress. I would welcome reader input and feedback (in the comments or via email) about whether any particular pieces of advice and specifics recommendations in these reports seem especially astute (or especially misguided).