Fear-mongering politicians do disservice to public, especially with criminal justice issues

Editor:

It is interesting that the District Attorney of Orleans County, Susan Howard, is criticizing Albany’s attempt to make the judicial system fairer while supporting Rob Ortt and Steve Hawley, who support a convicted felon and sexual predator as the President.

Research and data show that New York’s bail reform and the Clean Slate Act make New Yorker safer and communities stronger by addressing recidivism. The Data Collaborative for Justice, at John Jay College of Criminal Justice research center, in a long-term study found that individuals released under New York City bail reform had significantly less rates of recidivism than those who had bail set pre-reform.

The Brennan Center for Justice analyzed the results in 33 cities and found that bail reform does not cause an increase in crime rates. The Clean Slate Act reduces recidivism, according to studies by the Clean Slate Initiative and the R Street Institute, a policy research organization that promotes free markets and limited effective governance, show that long-term recidivism rates are reduced.

The general public is not expected to keep up with research on recidivism rates and judicial reform while the district attorney for the county should be aware. It is also easier politically to scare the general public than to debate policy research.

It is time to stop being led by fear-mongering politicians. It is time to support intelligent policy making decisions. I support Thomas Arida for State Senate district 62 and Sara Wolcott for Assembly district 139.

William Fine

Brockport