Mass Incarceration: Prospects for Reform American Friends Service Committee, Arizona

Mass Incarceration US is the world’s leading jailer:

Arizona Prisons Arizona has the 6 th highest incarceration rate in the US and the highest of western states. Bureau of Justice Statistics

Arizona Prison Costs Over $1 billion per year 3 rd largest state agency budget 11% of the state general fund This year, AZ will spend 60% more on prisons than universities

Crime Historic lows nationally Violent crime is at a record low

Incarceration Drivers Mandatory sentencing laws –Sentence enhancements –Priors –Drugs “Truth In Sentencing” –Eliminated parole –85% for ALL prisoners

The Tide is Turning Over half of US states have reformed their harsh sentencing laws over the last decade. The results show cost savings as well as decreases in crime rates.

State Reforms 2010: Economic crisis and prison overcrowding lead numerous states (incl. Kansas, Mississippi, and Texas) to reform Prison populations declined by 28,582 in twenty-six states during 2011, or 1.5%.

State Reforms 2012: Six states closed 20 prisons or were contemplating doing so, potentially reducing prison capacity by over 14,100 beds and resulting in an estimated $337 million in savings.

State Reforms In 2015, lawmakers in at least 30 states adopted policy changes to: –Reduce prison growth –Reform mandatory sentencing –Reclassifying felonies as misdemeanors –Parole reform Source: The Sentencing Project, The State of Sentencing 2015: Developments in Policy and Practice

State Reforms Mandatory Sentencing: Between , 29 states enacted laws increasing judicial discretion and revising when and how sentences are handed down. -32 bills passed within 5 years alone

Federal Reforms 2014: US Sentencing Commission reduced penalties for non-violent drug crimes (retroactive) 2015: 6,000 released from federal prisons 2015: President grants clemency and pardons to approx. 165 federal drug offenders

Federal Reforms Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015: –Reduce sentences for some drug- related crimes (RETROACTIVE) –Create new mandatory minimum sentences for other crimes –In some cases, increase the length of the maximum sentences that could be issued.

Prospects in Arizona Gov. Ducey’s Executive Budget says that “slowing the rate of growth in the prison population” is a focal point of his public safety agenda. -Proposes funding for “Community Corrections Center” in Phoenix -Hiring a Re-Entry planner for the Dept. of Corrections

Prospects in Arizona: Legislation SB1126: Transition Program: Expands early release SB1247: Expands use of work release from Dept. of Corrections SB1439: Creates Mental Health Transition Program

Prospects in Arizona: Budget “Baseline” Budget: -$18 million for 1,000 private prison beds (CCA) -Approval to bid out another 2,000 (estimated cost: $50 million/yr)

What YOU Can Do House Appropriations Budget Town Hall TUCSON Saturday, March 5 th 10:00am KUAT Studio, UA Campus 1423 E University Blvd

What YOU Can Do Contact US Senator John McCain and urge him to support the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act! blic/index.cfm/contact-form 218 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC Main: (202) Fax: (202)

What YOU Can Do Join us!: list, action alerts Learn more: Make a tax-deductable Donation to our work AFSC-Arizona