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10.14: Evidence-Based Policy Reforms

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    324945
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    Research on racial disparities has informed several promising policy reforms aimed at creating a more equitable criminal legal system. Sentencing reforms, including the reduction or elimination of mandatory minimums and the expansion of judicial discretion, have shown potential to mitigate racial disparities while maintaining public safety. Several states have reclassified certain drug and property offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, reducing both the scale of incarceration and its disproportionate impact on communities of color.

    Pretrial reforms addressing cash bail have gained traction as research reveals how pretrial detention pressures defendants to accept plea deals and disproportionately affects low-income defendants of color. Jurisdictions implementing risk assessment tools (with appropriate safeguards against algorithmic bias) and alternative release programs have reduced pretrial detention rates without increasing crime. Similarly, diversion programs that route individuals with substance use or mental health challenges away from incarceration and toward treatment have demonstrated potential to address underlying needs while reducing racial disparities in case outcomes (Pew Research Center 2023).


    10.14: Evidence-Based Policy Reforms is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.