Meet Trump’s unlikely allies: Criminal justice reform advocates, who see potential in his second term
President-elect Donald Trump campaigned for president in 2016 with a tough-on-crime platform, promising to crack down on immigration and bring law and order to the nation. His rhetoric sparked concern among Democrats and criminal justice advocates, who feared a widespread crackdown on crime under his administration.
Despite these fears, Trump’s presidency saw unexpected bipartisan cooperation on criminal justice reform. Jessica Jackson, a human rights attorney and CEO of REFORM Alliance, initially hesitated to work with Trump but ultimately played a key role in lobbying for the First Step Act. This legislation aimed to reduce federal prison populations, promote rehabilitation, and offer early release to certain inmates.
The efforts of Jackson and a diverse coalition of supporters were successful, and in December 2018, Trump signed the First Step Act into law. The impact of this legislation has been significant, leading to a drastic reduction in recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated individuals.
Building on the success of the First Step Act, advocates like Jackson are now looking to Trump’s second term for further criminal justice reform. One major opportunity is the Safer Supervision Act, a bipartisan bill designed to help ex-convicts reintegrate into society by addressing employment barriers and improving parole and probation systems.
Former inmates often face challenges readjusting to life after prison, with restrictive parole and probation requirements sometimes leading to unnecessary reincarceration. The Safer Supervision Act aims to provide support and resources for successful reentry, ultimately reducing recidivism rates and promoting second chances for ex-convicts.
Jackson shared a story of a former inmate who unknowingly violated his supervision terms by opening a bank account without permission, highlighting the complexities and pitfalls of reintegration. She emphasized the importance of expanding criminal justice reform initiatives, such as the Safer Supervision Act and second-chance hiring, in Trump’s second term.
While discussions with Trump’s transition team have been ongoing, Jackson remains hopeful for continued progress in criminal justice reform. The unlikely coalition that formed around the First Step Act demonstrated the potential for bipartisan cooperation in addressing systemic issues within the criminal justice system.
As Trump prepares for his second term, advocates like Jackson are eager to continue the dialogue and push for meaningful reforms that benefit both former inmates and society as a whole. The momentum of the First Step Act has set the stage for further progress, and there is optimism for continued collaboration in the years ahead.
