At the most basic level, the role of government is to help keep us safe, while preserving fundamental rights under the Constitution. In no other aspect of society is that more important than our criminal justice system. Police. Courts. Prisons. We give them all incredible power over human lives — and we have to get it right.

Unfortunately, from the failed War on Drugs to understandable, but real, over-reactions to the tragedy of 9-11, we have NOT always gotten it right. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Higher than Russia, China, Mexico, Pakistan or anywhere in Africa. That’s an incredible fact. Not only does it point to very real problems with our criminal justice system, but the sheer dollar cost to taxpayers is ridiculous.
Likewise, regardless of political party or ideology, we cannot ignore the facts about race and criminal justice. A black person in the United States is four times more likely to end up in jail than a white person. That cannot just be explained away. It tells us there is something very wrong.
As it should be, most criminal justice is carried out by the states, and many state legislatures have and continue to enact needed reforms. However, there is much Congress can and should do:

• First, there are simply too many “federal” crimes. Congress should not make something a federal crime unless it involves interstate or international acts. Politicians in Washington don’t need to outlaw activities that are already crimes under state jurisdiction.
• Congress should encourage the creation of courts that deal specifically with veterans, substance abuse, mental illness, and others for whom traditional criminal courts cannot offer effective “justice”. Mandatory minimum sentences and “three strike” laws that tie the hands of the Courts should be revisited.
• Prison beds should be reserved for those who present real threats to society — not those who simply cannot pay fines, make bail, or suffer from nonviolent addictions.
• “Defunding” the police is obviously a ridiculous notion. However, that does not mean police departments, courts and the rest of the criminal justice system should not be held accountable for the tax dollars they spend. Where appropriate, resources should be directed to results-oriented programs and personnel who can reduce harm, keep us safe and focus on real solutions to domestic violence, trafficking, substance abuse, etc.

There are many other steps we must take, but the goal must be to reduce incarceration rates, insure that justice is fair, regardless of race, finances or social status, and insure that our billions in tax dollars are being used effectively to make our communities safer — and better.