OP-ED: Now is the time to push forward on criminal justice reform
Briefly

The 2020 New York bail reform laws aimed to improve the criminal justice system by focusing on public safety and individual rights. Six years later, data reveals that close to 50,000 people are living in their communities while awaiting trial, with 95.7% having no new offenses. Studies indicate that eliminating bail has significantly reduced re-arrest rates, indicating that pretrial detention for low-level offenses is unnecessary. The findings challenge outdated beliefs about punishment, showing that community-oriented approaches yield better results for safety and reintegration of individuals.
The bail reform laws enacted in New York State in 2020 have significantly benefited many individuals, allowing them to live productive lives and contribute to their communities.
Bail reform has shown that pretrial detainment for low-level crimes has no impact on community safety, with re-arrest rates dropping significantly post-reform.
Data confirms that most individuals awaiting the outcome of their criminal cases are not reoffending, emphasizing the success of the bail reform initiative in reducing re-arrests.
The evidence indicates that harsh punitive approaches in correctional programs are outdated and ineffective compared to community-focused, data-driven strategies.
Read at New York Amsterdam News
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