Green Party on Crime Party Platform

Ban private prisons; moratorium on prison construction

Civilian review of community police behavior

Criminal Justice Reform:
• Establish elected or appointed independent civilian review boards with subpoena power to investigate complaints about prison guard and community police behavior. Sharply restrict police use of weapons and restraining techniques such as pepper spray, stun belts, tasers and choke holds.
• Establish and fund programs to strengthen self-help and community action through neighborhood centers that provide legal aid, alternative dispute-resolution practices, mediated restitution, community team policing, and access to local crisis/assault care shelters.
• Prohibit property forfeiture and denial of due process for unconvicted suspects.
• Establish freedom on bail as a right of all defendants charged with non-violent crimes. Incorporate mental health and social services in bail agreements.
• Protect victims' rights. Ensure the opportunity for victims to make victim-impact statements. Consider forms of restitution to victims.

Abolish the death penalty

Repeal “3 strikes, you’re out” law

Opposes death penalty

Focus on crime prevention instead of harsher sentences

• A plan to revitalize our economy must be a central element of any overall plan to reduce crime. Fear of violent crime is growing and it is our belief that the breaking of the bonds of community, the economic and social root causes of crime, must be addressed in the same way politicians today propose putting more firepower on the streets; threatening criminals with harsher sentences (“three strikes and you’re out”); and building more prisons.
• We encourage our political leaders to remember that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We believe it is appropriate to focus on where our societal intervention can be most successful and effective.
• We would initiate social programs that are alternatives to gangs, such as “Gang Intervention Units.” Practical education with a real promise of a future is needed if we are to expect long-term success in this struggle.