As the recent changes in the Presidential election sharpen the relevance of criminal justice reform, we wanted to make sure you saw that a group of 180 leaders directly impacted by mass incarceration are calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to lead on the issue in her discourse and policy agenda.

In a letter addressed to Vice President Harris, the leaders write: “…we have witnessed first-hand the motivating power of safe and effective criminal justice reforms in driving our community out to vote…As you ramp up your campaign for President, we ask that you meet this consequential political moment with particular care and attention as it relates to conversations and commitments around criminal justice reform.”

The letter reminds Vice President Harris that labels like “felon” and “criminal” apply to many millions of Americans who have been affected by the country’s failed criminal justice system.

“Shouting “felon!” without acknowledging the injustices taking place daily in courts, prisons, and jails depresses the tremendous electoral potential of engaging with the tens of millions of us who have criminal convictions and the even greater number of American voters who love us,” the leaders continued.

The letter cites Harris’ record on meaningful criminal justice reforms and the work she has done to lift up the leadership of those affected by incarceration including through her participation in a townhall led by formerly incarcerated leaders in 2019. These leaders are lifting what both polling and successful policy campaigns in red, blue and purple jurisdictions have proven time and again to be true: safe and effective criminal justice reform is a winning issue that candidates can and should run on. The entire letter can be read here.

To be connected to signatories on the letter and for the most recent research and polling on voters' views on crime, safety, and criminal justice reforms as well as policy expertise on how reforms are playing out in the federal system and in states across the country, please feel free to reach out to our team at press@fwd.us.