Last December, President Trump enacted the most significant criminal justice reform legislation in more than a decade. Known as the First Step Act, this legislation mirrored many of the successful reforms seen at the state level in deep red states like Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina.

These reforms, when taken together, slow the revolving door in and out of prison. By cutting recidivism rates, we can make our neighborhoods safer and reduce the burden on taxpayers. This is done by preparing those leaving prison to be successful, while focusing scarce prison resources on those who are truly a danger to our communities.

Mississippi has already taken their First Step with criminal justice reform, but there still remains work to be done. Legislators are currently considering HB 1352, which aims to offer people second chances and break down some of the barriers people leaving prison face as they try to successfully re-integrate back into the community. This includes reforms such as preventing the suspension of drivers licenses for unpaid fines and fees or non-moving controlled substance violations, greater use of drug and other problem-solving courts, and an expansion of expungement eligibility for nonviolent felonies. This approach is similar to President Trump’s criminal justice reform package known as the FIRST STEP Act.

With 97% of all people in prison set to one day be released back into our communities, this isn’t something to do because we want to be soft on criminals. Preparing inmates to successfully re-enter society is critical to our public safety, as every case of recidivism is another crime, victim, court case, and broken family.

The policies being considered in Mississippi are a small, yet critical component in the state’s fight for conservative criminal justice reform. These principles are championed by the President, and supported by a diverse coalition of lawmakers, business and faith leaders, law enforcement officers, and victims.

Mississippi is now at a crossroads; faced with the decision of whether to follow the lead of the President and continue down the path that will increase public safety, enhance human dignity, and ensure that tax dollars are used wisely; or continue the status quo that costs taxpayers over $300 million a year and fails to change hearts and minds.

We need your support to urge your Senator to move a bill consistent with President Trump’s approach out of the Senate and to the Governor, so we can continue to work for a safer, and smarter Mississippi. Any further compromises will undermine our efforts to fix the state’s broken criminal justice system.