State of Mississippi Archives: on Crime
Mike Espy:
Make lynching a federal hate crime
We need the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act to become law so we can make sure no other family has to live knowing that justice wasn't served for the racially-motivated killing of their loved one. 2020 isn't over yet, and we have already experienced
headlines, videos, and live footage of racial violence. Making lynching a federal crime is still a necessity today. We must do everything possible to protect the lives of everyone and help make sure no one in this country feels unsafe.
Source: Medium.com e-zine on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Jun 18, 2020
Mike Espy:
Reform police tactics, racial bias training, ban chokehold
Espy is calling for transparency with body cameras, a national database of police officers who misbehave, reforming police tactics by banning the choke hold and racial bias and discrimination training. "All of these policies are meant to identify
and root out police injustice and police misconduct at least let the public make them aware of who's doing these things to provide for a system that is less racial and fair for everybody with better opportunities," said Espy.
Source: WJTV-12 News Jackson on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Jun 11, 2020
Robert Foster:
Help nonviolent offenders; often a better solution
Common sense criminal justice reform that differentiates between non-violent offenders who society is inconvenienced by compared to violent criminals, who society is scared of, must be implemented.
In many cases helping a non-violent offender try and turn their life around is a better long-term economic solution than years of costly incarceration.
Source: 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial campaign website governor.ms
May 22, 2019
Bill Waller:
Inmates need a passage back into society
While progress is being made in both the courts and the Legislature on criminal justice reform to help inmates try to work back into society, work still needs to be done.
"There is no doubt inmates need a passage back into society. Some of the things being done will reduce prison populations. It could be possible to take some of the savings and put into work centers and re-entry programs," he stated.
Source: Daily Times Leader on 2019 Mississippi Governor's race
Mar 6, 2019
Robert Foster:
Police officers don't shoot at people unless they need to
[With regards to officer-involved shootings]: Those officers are out there, putting their lives on the line, and I'm not going to try and judge their decisions. They have to make a split-second decision. It could be me dead or them, and until
I think somebody has put themselves in that position to understand the reality, that is a reality they face every day when they're on the job. People out there in those streets would kill them if they had that opportunity.
They don't want to go back to prison or jail, and they're going to pull a gun out and shoot back, and these cops have to live with that, and they have to work in a very dangerous, in a very stressful situation.
And I just don't believe that they're out there trying to shoot people that don't need to. I mean, they're only shooting at people that are trying to kill them or they feel may kill them. And it's a life-or-death situation.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Feb 6, 2019
Robert Foster:
People have to respect police officers and answer questions
Q: The Jackson Free Press has reported often on officer-involved shootings and the lack of transparency from city government. Would you do anything as governor to improve law-enforcement training to help avoid these incidents?A: I'm not familiar with
there being an issue with officer-involved shootings.
Q: You are not aware of any circumstance where a police officer has unjustly killed someone?
A: I'm not aware of any now. I'm not saying this never happened. If it has, then I would want our
district attorney and people to investigate that case, and hold anyone accountable that's abused their power or done something. People have got to learn that they've got to respect these officers and give them the attention that they deserve when
they're asking them questions and not be so combative towards them. If you're breaking the law, you're going to have to answer for it. And if you're not, then you have nothing to hide, and you shouldn't have a problem with just answering the questions.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Feb 6, 2019
Robert Foster:
Reduce recidivism by differentiating non-violent offenders
Real criminal justice reform has to be on the forefront of our discussions so law enforcement can have the extra resources and time to devote towards more serious crimes. This is why Robert will support our President and his goal to reduce recidivism
across America, working to ensure those non-violent offenders are on a path back to contributing to society, not back to jail.A joint effort between the legislature, law enforcement, and our courts could spell a promising future for the countless
communities and individuals who have become entrapped in the endless cycle of imprisonment and poverty. Common sense criminal justice reform that differentiates between non-violent offenders who society is inconvenienced by compared
to violent criminals, who society is scared of, must be implemented. In many cases helping a non-violent offender try and turn their life around is a better long-term economic solution than years of costly incarceration.
Source: 2019 Mississippi governor campaign website Foster4MS.com
Dec 31, 2018
Cindy Hyde-Smith:
Voted for First Step Act, bipartisan criminal justice reform
Hyde-Smith voted in favor of bipartisan criminal justice legislation aimed at reducing inmate recidivism and reforming federal sentencing guidelines. The First Step Act of 2018 (S.3649) would authorize programs to reduce the risk of prisoners committing
new crimes after leaving prison. Hyde-Smith said, "Prisoners, who have a low risk of recidivism, may use this bill to earn an earlier release, but only after meeting criteria that can help them lead productive lives after their incarceration."
Source: Senate press release on 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign
Dec 19, 2018
David Baria:
Supports criminal justice reform in line with Black Caucus
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) announced that they would be supporting Democrat U.S. Senate candidate David Baria in the Democratic U.S. Senate runoff Thursday. Sonya Williams-Barnes, Chair of the
Caucus said, "David's voting record on public education, Medicaid expansion, funding of mental health services and criminal justice reform is consistently in line with the votes of our Caucus."
Source: NBC World Now on 2018 Mississippi Senate race
Jun 14, 2018
Jensen Bohren:
Reformed felons need their voting rights reinstated
We also need to re-examine the procedure of permanently removing the voting rights of freed, reformed felons to vote. After their time and parole have been served faithfully, returning their civil rights should be a standard approach.
Making it difficult to regain their ability to participate in the running of their country disproportionately affects minority views in a way similar to Gerrymandering.
Source: 2018 Mississippi Senate campaign website vote4jensen.com
Jan 1, 2018
Jensen Bohren:
Private prisons being encouraged to fill up to capacity
The second issue that I feel strongly about is Private Prison Reform. Currently, the issue is that the Private Prison lobby is encouraging as many prisoners as possible, as for each individual imprisoned they gain income.
At the very least, 'full capacity' should be disincentivized, perhaps with a lump sum that does not depend upon total prisoner population.
Source: 2018 Mississippi Senate campaign website vote4jensen.com
Jan 1, 2018
Phil Bryant:
More Highway Patrol troopers on the road
We are in desperate need of a new trooper school. Currently, the Mississippi Highway Patrol stands at 161 troopers less than is statutorily allowed. Fortunately, this is not a dictatorial formula.
However, the safety of the motoring public and the troopers serving rests with your decision. I ask you tonight to back the badge of our troopers and put more of them on the road.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Tate Reeves:
Blue Lives Matter: public safety workers in protected class
Lt. Gov. Reeves is signaling he will endorse measures that he says will support law enforcement. Reeves indicated he plans to get behind a so-called Blue Lives Matter bill as well as legislation to prohibit so-called sanctuary cities. In May,
Louisiana enacted a law that gave public safety workers similar protected class designation as racial and religious minorities. The change means crimes against law enforcement officers and paramedics could count as hate crimes under state law.
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jan 9, 2017
Haley Barbour:
$7.3M for state trooper school
To keep law enforcement where we want it, I'm announcing tonight that I will dedicate $7.3 million of the governor's discretionary funds to hold a troopers' school this calendar year. If you will join me in moving motor carrier enforcement from
MDOT to the Department of Public Safety, freeing up 40 current highway patrolmen, that would mean nearly 100 more state troopers on the road.
Source: 2011 Mississippi State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2011
Ronnie Musgrove:
Teach prisoners skills by building senior housing
Mississippi’s prison population is growing rapidly. Building our way out of this crisis is not an option even in the most prosperous times. We can’t just change prisons; we have to change lives. We have a unique opportunity to address two
seemingly unrelated needs. We believe we have found a way to offer older Mississippians smaller, affordable homes of their own while driving down the number of offenders returning to our prisons by helping them change careers.
Inmates can learn advanced carpentry, wiring, and roofing skills inside the penitentiary fences by building low-cost, energy-efficient, quality homes designed with elderly Mississippians in mind for purchase and placement on their property
anywhere in Mississippi. Building homes for our parents and grandparents builds real opportunity for offenders and expands the pool of skilled workers for the future.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 4, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021