Promising Preview of Public Safety Platforms: Largest Bipartisan Reform Org Reacts to First Republican Primary Debate

Washington, DC (August 23, 2023) – Following the first Republican primary debate, Jenna Bottler, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network (JAN), the country’s largest bipartisan organization working to advance evidence-based criminal justice policies at the state and federal levels, issued the following statement: 

“Republican voters deserve to know where their presidential candidates stand on public safety, and Wednesday night’s debate gave them a preview of what’s to come throughout the election cycle. Every violent crime in America is a tragedy, and substance abuse and mental health issues are important issues that need to be taken seriously. It was encouraging to hear the candidates focus on addressing these underlying issues, even as we receive increasingly promising news that violent crime is falling across the country. We  look forward to each and every candidate expanding on their plans to increase public safety over the coming months, because we know what works: investing in law enforcement with the express purpose of increasing clearance rates, expanding access to rehabilitative programming, and eliminating barriers to true second chances so that returning citizens can quickly join the workforce and provide for themselves and their families. ”