The Center For Prison Reform For Nonviolent Offenders

Strict "three-strikes" laws with mandatory sentencing guidelines were created with the best of intentions, aimed at keeping violent criminals convicted multiple times out of the general populations. However, the language of these laws often forces the legal system to bring down harsh punishments to any offender with applicable prior convictions, whether or not the past or current crimes are serious or violent. Twenty four states across America have some sort of “three strikes” or habitual offender law on the books, with mandatory sentences ranging from 25 years to life. The Center for Prison Reform for Nonviolent Offenders ("Center for Prison Reform", or "CPR") works to change this. 1. We bring groups together. As the political wing of the community that advocates for non-violent offenders, we draw together the disparate voices from minority groups, recidivism, prisoner rights organizations, halfway houses, and marijuana clemency groups. 2. We lobby Congress. Political reform doesn’t happen in a vacuum but in a whirlwind. We organize grassroots support, so that Congress sees the voter block pushing for prison reform, and we educate Congressional staff on the issues. 3. We build resources. What’s the evidence for our claim that prison reform is needed and will be effective? The CPR compiles research papers, demographic surveys, and grassroots polls into a mountain of resources. We ask prominent academics and authors to explicitly support our cause, and help them as individuals to collaborate, including support for their funding process. 4. We set things in motion. Passing a new law to reform prisons doesn’t end of the story. Laws must be interpreted and implemented. Courts and prisons will need well organized non-profit and faith-based groups they can rely on for support. Good ideas must be spread and implementation failures pointed out.