Opinion: For a safer Memphis, bail reform is the right solution
Josh Spickler
Josh Spickler is the executive director of Just City, a Memphis-based criminal justice reform and advocacy group.
Insha Rahman
Insha Rahman is vice president for advocacy and partnership at the Vera Institute of Justice, a national organization of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems.
“Loud and powerful opponents of progress, such as Mayor Jim Strickland, have wrongly claimed that Shelby County’s pretrial policies undermine public safety. There is no data behind his claims.”
Related stories
Opinion: Bail reform is a disaster, needs to be reversed
“The DA and our county commissioners need to stand up for the law-abiding people of Memphis and do whatever it takes to reverse this disastrous bail-reform policy.”
Letter to the Editor: Bail reform is not causing more crime
“Blaming ‘bail reform’ is a political talking point — a red herring — that does nothing to address the problem. We can do better.”
Opinion: Fighting back against a ‘crime-induced public health crisis’
“Voter sentiment about our city’s crippling crime epidemic transcends socioeconomic, gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Actual voters want violent, repeat offenders off the streets, legally. They want the bail ‘loopholes’ closed for these offenders who should be held in jail and timely prosecuted.”
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.