Professor Ron Smith Addresses National Push for Criminal Law Reform Gaining Republican Support

Oct. 10 – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Professor Ronald C. Smith quoted:

Ronald C. Smith, a law professor at The John Marshall Law School and former chairman of the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, said Republicans previously became tough on crime because of frustration with recidivism among criminals.

“Around the time Ronald Reagan became president, there was a real sense in conservative circles that rehabilitation wasn’t working,” Smith said. “Penalties got harder and harder, and the system ran out of patience with recidivists. … Nobody ever lost an election by being tough on crime.”

PDF: National Push for Criminal Law Reform Gains Republicans’ Support

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