Houston Chronicle — State and Local Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Texas’ two U.S. senators are undermining the state’s role as a leader in revamping overly harsh sentencing laws and reducing mass incarceration. [Opinion]

“Not long ago, Texas was viewed as a leading state on criminal justice reform. Former Gov. Rick Perry signed legislation that reduced the prison population and was regarded as a model for the country — embodying both compassionate and fiscal conservatism. Our state’s efforts were then embraced by federal leaders, with Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn championing legislation to reduce harsh federal sentences for drug offenses. But now Cruz and Cornyn have become the face of opposition to sentencing reform, and without their support, our state began losing its leadership role on this critical issue.“

Houston Chronicle

October 6, 2018

SenatePhillip ReevesOctober 6, 2018Houston Chronicle, Texas, Ted Cruz, John CornynComment

Bipartisan criminal justice reform casualty of Cruz campaign [Editorial]

“In his campaign for re-election, Cruz has shattered that truce. He has targeted otherwise bipartisan rhetoric about criminal justice reform as the subject for convenient campaign season attacks. It cheapens the debate and stifles the sort of progress that Texas Republicans once took pride in.“

Houston Chronicle

September 27, 2018

Mass IncarcerationPhillip ReevesSeptember 28, 2018Houston Chronicle, Ted CruzComment

Expert explains how Oklahoma became No. 1 in US for prison population

“Andrew Speno, the state director for the group Right on Crime, spoke about criminal justice reform in Oklahoma and how the state became No. 1 in the U.S. in terms of prison population.“

Houston Chronicle

September 27, 2018

Mass IncarcerationPhillip ReevesSeptember 28, 2018Houston Chronicle, Oklahoma, Right on CrimeComment

Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke tours Harris County jail during Houston visit

"As he makes his way across the state, Beto O'Rourke wants to know: How much does it cost to spend a night in jail? In small towns and big cities, he poses the question, grappling with the price tag of mass incarceration and fine-tuning his hopes for criminal justice reform."

Houston Chronicle

August 22, 2018

Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyAugust 24, 2018Houston Chronicle, Texas, Beto O'Rourke

Don’t let fair-weather friends derail criminal justice reform [Opinion]

"To be sure, all of this may come to naught. Sessions could convince the president to veto a joint bill if it includes sentencing reform, and wary Republicans could desert en masse. But supporting sentencing reform, even if it’s doomed, means being on the right side of history. That’s worth something — especially in the Trump era."

Houston Chronicle

July 9, 2018

State Reforms, Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Houston Chronicle, Jeff Sessions

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