The Hill 2020s: on Crime
Cory Booker:
Rich-and-guilty treated better than poor-and-innocent
Sen. Cory Booker slammed the 47-month prison sentence for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Booker, who introduced the landmark First Step Act last year to implement a series of prison reforms, said he was "ticked off" about what he
said was a light sentence for Manafort, but that he was not surprised: "We have a criminal justice system that treats you better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent. We prey upon the most vulnerable citizens in our nation.
Poor folks, mentally ill folks, addicted folks and, overwhelmingly, black and brown folks."A federal judge sentenced Manafort to nearly four years in prison on eight charges of bank and tax fraud, but his sentence will
be cut to three years and two months after he was given credit for time served. Federal sentencing guidelines suggested Manafort be sentenced to 19 1/2 to 24 years.
Source: Tal Axelrod in The Hill on 2020 Democratic primary
Mar 8, 2019
Pete Buttigieg:
Death penalty is racist; mandatory minimums too
While discussing criminal justice reform at the National Action Network, Buttigieg said, "As we work to end mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses, here too we must be intentional about fixing disparities that have deeply unfair racial consequences.
It is time to face the simple fact that capital punishment as seen in America has always been a discriminatory practice and we would be a fairer and safer country when we join the ranks of modern nations who have abolished the death penalty."
Source: The Hill: 2020 Democratic primary & National Action Network
Mar 27, 2019
Raphael Warnock:
End cash bail for nonviolent crimes
[GOP opponent Herschel] Walker has touted support of fully funding police and law enforcement so they have adequate staff, equipment and training.
Walker has attacked Warnock's support for ending "cash bail" for nonviolent crimes. Warnock said cash bail makes it harder for someone accused of a crime, specifically lower income
Americans, to be released on bail while awaiting a trial.During his short tenure, Warnock has supported grants for law enforcement and has expressed
support for a bill that would fund training, equipment and mental health support, among others, for local law enforcement.
Source: The Hill on 2022 Georgia Senate race
Oct 8, 2022
Stacey Abrams:
$25 million in state grants for police salary raises
[Republican Gov. Brian] Kemp has focused on initiatives cracking down on gang violence and sex trafficking. Both candidates support increased pay for law enforcement. Kemp this year increased state law enforcement pay by $5,000.
If elected, Abrams plans to provide $25 million in state grants to local agencies for salary raises and plans to raise base salary
for state patrol, correctional officers and community supervision officers to approximately
$50,000 per year. She has discussed plans to develop initiatives to increase law enforcement accountability and accountability.
Source: The Hill on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race
Oct 8, 2022
Page last updated: Aug 04, 2024