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Mitt Romney on Crime

Former Republican Governor (MA)


Hire private companies to manage our state prisons

When I was serving as the governor of Massachusetts, I suggested that we look into the possible benefits of hiring a private company to manage our state prisons. But almost uniformly, I was met with a very negative reaction. People invariably presumed that if we did, the state's cost would rise because a private company "would have to make a profit." It was hard to convince people that the private companies that manage prisons have learned how to safely do so with fewer workers than state-operated prisons--and the money they save through productivity innovations more than makes up for what they earn in profit. In fact, it's the profit motive that led them to find ways to improve their productivity. The tax dollars we would save could either be returned to the people who paid them or be spent on additional government priorities. Either way, productivity would increase. Organized labor made sure that private sector productivity would never disrupt government jobs in Massachusetts prisons.
Source: No Apology, by Mitt Romney, p.106 , Mar 2, 2010

To reduce black on black crime, get more moms and dads

Q: What are you going to do about black on black crime; the war in the inner city?

A: Number one is to get more moms and dads. Number two, we’ve got to have better education in our schools. And number three, we have to do a better job with our policing. And I was very proud that I added one state police class after another.

Source: 2007 GOP YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Florida , Nov 28, 2007

One Strike, You’re Ours: lifetime GPS tracking

Governor Romney announced that he would propose a “One Strike, You’re Ours” law for those convicted of preying on children using the Internet. Massachusetts Republican District Attorneys and Sheriffs support Governor Romney’s proposal for stiff mandatory jail time to be followed by lifetime tracking by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) for first-time offenders: “As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney was a strong defender of children. He led the effort to put photos of the state’s most dangerous sex offenders on the Internet and made it easier to extend civil commitments for sex offenders. As a candidate for president, Governor Romney is once-again demonstrating strong leadership in protecting our children. His ‘One Strike, You’re Ours’ law is an important initiative to strengthen law enforcement and protect America’s sons and daughters. We are proud to stand alongside Governor Romney in his campaign for our nation’s highest office.
Source: Press Release, “Law Enforcement Officials” , Jul 21, 2007

Reform sentencing process; appeal too-lenient sentences

Romney and Healey pledged to enact strong sentencing guidelines, especially for sex crimes, and vowed to level the playing field for prosecutors by giving them the right to appeal lenient sentences imposed on criminals.
Source: Campaign web site, www.romney2002.com, “Issues” , Sep 17, 2002

Supports death penalty in heinous murders

Romney pushes for a death penalty law for murderers convicted of heinous first-degree homicides. “The ultimate penalty should be available in Massachusetts for criminals who commit the most egregious murders,” Romney said.
Source: Campaign web site, www.romney2002.com, “Issues” , Sep 17, 2002

Favored mandatory sentencing and three strikes

Source: Boston Globe review of 1994 canpaign issues , Mar 21, 2002

Safe streets will be a campaign theme

“There have been too many left behind,” Romney said after his announcement speech. “Our schools aren’t solid enough; our environment has not been cleaned the way it could be. Our streets are not as safe as they could be. All these things could be made better in my view with the application of new leadership and sound management principles.”
Source: Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe, p. B6 , Mar 20, 2002

Will bring new businesses to urban areas

Romney says, “We never think of going to Roxbury or Dorchester. Why do we never think about it? Crime. Let’s also look at the truth. You have businesses leaving our urban areas.” Romney said he would locate a business in Roxbury and Dorchester if the right opportunities were available. But the GOP candidate and venture capitalist, who has based his campaign on his job creation experience, said government has to provide the public safety and infrastructure in urban areas to attract businesses.
Source: Frank Phillips in Boston Globe , Nov 4, 1994

Supports death penalty and “three strikes” sentencing

Romney’s crime platform contains little that is radical or new - pro-death penalty, tough sentencing for violent offenders, support for “three strikes,” and support for judges who are tough on crime.
Source: Anthony Flint in Boston Globe , Oct 24, 1994

Other governors on Crime: Mitt Romney on other issues:
MA Gubernatorial:
Deval Patrick
MA Senatorial:
John Kerry
Scott Brown

Newly seated 2010:
NJ Chris Christie
VA Bob McDonnell

Term-limited as of Jan. 2011:
AL Bob Riley
CA Arnold Schwarzenegger
GA Sonny Perdue
HI Linda Lingle
ME John Baldacci
MI Jennifer Granholm
NM Bill Richardson
OK Brad Henry
OR Ted Kulongoski
PA Ed Rendell
RI Donald Carcieri
SC Mark Sanford
SD Mike Rounds
TN Phil Bredesen
WY Dave Freudenthal 		Newly Elected Nov. 2010:
AL: Robert Bentley (R)
CA: Jerry Brown (D)
CO: John Hickenlooper (D)
CT: Dan Malloy (D)
FL: Rick Scott (R)
GA: Nathan Deal (R)
HI: Neil Abercrombie (D)
IA: Terry Branstad (R)
KS: Sam Brownback (R)
ME: Paul LePage (R)
MI: Rick Snyder (R)
MN: Mark Dayton (D)
ND: Jack Dalrymple (R)
NM: Susana Martinez (R)
NV: Brian Sandoval (R)
NY: Andrew Cuomo (D)
OH: John Kasich (R)
OK: Mary Fallin (R)
PA: Tom Corbett (R)
RI: Lincoln Chafee (I)
SC: Nikki Haley (R)
SD: Dennis Daugaard (R)
TN: Bill Haslam (R)
VT: Peter Shumlin (D)
WI: Scott Walker (R)
WY: Matt Mead (R) 		Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty


Contact info:
Campaign website:
www.mittromney.com/
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 55239, Boston, MA 02205





Page last updated: Nov 23, 2011