Not that long ago, in the summer of 2020, the moment seemed ripe for meaningful criminal-justice reform in America. Millions joined demonstrations denouncing police killings and to call for racial justice. There was a feeling that real progress was about to be made in tackling mass incarceration, especially given its impact on communities of color.
However, over the four years since those protests, a narrative has emerged suggesting that criminal-justice reform is dead, particularly in a bipartisan context. Observers like David A. Graham noted that support for reform was 'a mile wide and an inch deep,' indicating a superficial layer of backing that couldn't sustain lasting change.
Despite the apparent slowdown in reform efforts, much of the bipartisan support for criminal-justice reform continues to exist. Advocates are still making slow, incremental changes even amidst rising crime rates, and currently push for reforms as the crime rate begins to decline again.
The reform movement has shifted into a phase of quiet pragmatism, focusing on practical solutions rather than grand ideological statements. While the reforms may be modest compared to the enormity of the issue—over 1.9 million people incarcerated in the U.S.—each step is vital for creating a fairer system that favors dignity over incarceration.
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