Tillis Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Assess and Propose Reforms to Criminal Justice System

Press Release

Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) co-sponsored the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, bipartisan legislation that would task a National Criminal Justice Commission to assess the entire system and propose reforms to address the most pressing issues facing the nation's criminal justice system.

"I've been a champion of criminal justice reform and have proudly supported major reforms at both the state and national levels. In North Carolina, our commonsense, bipartisan reforms led to lower crime, a lower prison population, and a lower recidivism rate," said Senator Tillis. "We must continue to find areas where we can ensure our criminal justice system provides justice for all and provides Americans with the tools and opportunities to become productive and law-abiding members of their communities when they get a second chance. I'm proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan legislation to move us towards the next phase of criminal justice reform at the federal level."

The legislation would create a 14-member, bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission charged with completing an 18-month, comprehensive review of the national criminal justice system, including federal, state, local and tribal criminal justice systems. The Commission would issue recommendations for changes in oversight, policies, practices and laws to reduce crime, increase public safety and promote confidence in the criminal justice system.

The Commission would be made up of Presidential and Congressional appointees, including experts on law enforcement, criminal justice, victims' rights, civil liberties and social services. The transparent and bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission would also provide a better understanding of community relationships with law enforcement and the administration of justice through our court system, and identify effective policies to address a broad range of issues in the criminal justice system including crime reduction, incarceration and prisoner reentry.

The last comprehensive review of the criminal justice system was conducted in 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson created the Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. The 1965 Commission's report offered over 200 recommendations that have shaped the current criminal justice system, including the creation of the 9-1-1 system establishment of research organizations like the Bureau of Justice Statistics and improved training and professionalization for law enforcement.

The National Criminal Justice Commission Act is supported by a broad coalition of criminal justice organizations, including law enforcement and criminal justice reform advocates.

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