Public policy groups promote a "Vision for Justice 2020 and Beyond" with recommendations for criminal justice reform

As explained in this press release, the "Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Civil Rights Corps, and 115 civil rights and justice groups released a policy platform for the 2020 state and federal elections that proposes a unified vision for transforming our criminal-legal system into one that respects the humanity, dignity, and rights of all people."  Here is more from the press release:

The groups shared Vision for Justice 2020 and Beyond with presidential candidates this past summer to offer critical policy guidance for drafting robust criminal-legal reform agendas.  The 14 recommendations, listed below, are centered on three thematic issues: ensuring equity and accountability, building a restorative system of justice, and rebuilding communities.

The treatment of communities of color in the criminal-legal system is the most profound civil rights crisis facing America in the 21st century. This platform seeks to remove this moral stain on our democracy by offering specific, measurable steps to begin to transform the system.

Ensure Equity and Accountability in the Criminal-Legal System

1. Create a new paradigm for public safety and policing.
2. Create a new framework for pretrial justice.
3. Ensure an effective right to counsel.
4. Decriminalize poverty.
5. Ensure accountability and transparency in prosecution.

Build a Restorative System of Justice

6. End jails and prisons as we know them in America.
7. Deprivatize justice.
8. Dramatically reform sentencing policy.
9. Support the children of incarcerated parents.
10. Ease challenges to racial inequity and abolish slavery in prisons.

Rebuild Communities

11. Rebalance spending priorities by investing in communities.
12. Reimagine reentry, probation, and parole.
13. Build a school-to-opportunity pipeline.
14. End the War on Drugs.