I am a father, supporter of law enforcement, and protector of the Constitution. I also believe that some people need to be in jails or prison. Murderers, child molesters, rapists, etc. deny our people the right to be free from unspeakable violence.
However, the United States is currently excessive with the overall criminal justice system. With nearly 2 million people behind bars, the U.S. incarcerates more people than any other country in the world.
Mass incarceration takes a tremendous social, psychological, and financial toll on communities across the country. Yet there are common-sense solutions.
1: Incarceration Doesn’t Always Make Us Safer
On paper, incarcerating people who commit crimes is supposed to keep us safe. Yet a growing body of evidence shows that incarceration doesn’t achieve that goal.
Many people in jails and prisons are there for non-violent offenses like drug possession. But there’s little evidence that incarceration prevents crime; particularly when the prisoner is an addict.
But, time in jail or prison does affect employment, housing, and education. It also bars people from opportunities that allow them to lead stable and successful lives.
Alongside incarcerated people themselves, prisons and jails also impact their families and communities in ways that undermine safety and stability. Incarceration deprives children of their caregivers and leaves other family members and loved ones struggling to pick up the slack. Incarcerated women, in particular, are more likely to be primary caregivers of minor children, who are then at greater risk of entering the foster care system.
Solution – Develop More Constructive Responses to Serious Crimes
Programs that connect people to community-based care rather than incarceration can build lasting safety by addressing the underlying needs that drive crime. Fortunately, community-based responses have gained traction across the country addressing mass incarceration and building safer communities.
The Manhattan Justice Opportunities program is a prime example of holding people accountable in ways that reduce recidivism and help them build more stable futures. Participants receive community-based services based on their individual needs, from mental health and substance use treatment to career support. People who graduate are able to avoid incarceration and have their charges reduced or dismissed.
With an average participant facing between 1 and 7 years of prison time, Manhattan Justice Opportunities has prevented more than 470 years of incarceration in total so far.
Another powerful unique alternative in less serious cases to the traditional system is restorative justice. Restorative justice brings everyone involved in an incident together those who’ve caused harm, victims, and the wider community to find a path forward. Rooted in centuries-old indigenous practices, restorative approaches foster accountability and healing in ways that incarceration can’t.
2: Many People Behind Bars Haven’t Been Convicted of a Crime
We usually think of incarceration as punishment for crime. But the reality is very different. More than 500,000 people are held in local jails where the vast majority haven’t been convicted of any crime. Instead, they’re there simply because they can’t afford to pay bail while they wait for their case to make its way through the courts or denied bail. I refer to it as “punishment before the proof.”
Someone can spend days, weeks, or months in jail just waiting for their day in court. That’s compounded by delays and backlogs that prevent cases from being resolved in a timely manner.
Time spent in jail can be fatal. In New York City, for example, fourteen people died in 2025 during or shortly after their stay in jail. For many New Yorkers, jail means Rikers Island, notorious for its inhumane conditions, sexual depravity, and widespread violence.
All together, these issues also affect the integrity of the justice system as a whole. Unlike what we usually see in media, the vast majority of criminal cases never go to trial. They end in plea deals, where the person accused of a crime agrees to plead guilty to receive a better outcome. But if someone can’t afford to pay bail, they can face significant pressure to accept a plea bargain in order to return home sooner even if they’re not guilty.
Solution – Invest in Supportive Alternatives to Bail
New York City’s Supervised Release program gives people a chance to remain in their communities with supervision and support, instead of languishing in jail.
Participants in the Supervised Release program meet regularly with a case manager. While making sure people attend their court appearances, case managers also help connect them to voluntary services, employment and education resources, mental health treatment, housing support, and substance abuse treatment.
Supervised Release is as effective as bail at ensuring people make their court dates and maintaining community safety. A supervised release program can involve law enforcement, social workers and case managers to provide the support people need to meet their court requirements, avoid rearrest, and rebuild their lives.
By addressing these two issues, the State of Georgia will rightly become the honorable and courageous example to the world.