JACKSON, MS – FWD.us Mississippi State Director Alesha Judkins issued the following statement today after Governor Reeves signed SB 2174 and HB 438:

“We are disappointed to see the enactment of SB 2174 and HB 438, bills that will increase our state’s prison population and spending without making our communities safer. Increasing penalties and making people serve longer sentences for property crimes goes against the overwhelming body of research that makes clear incarceration is one of the most expensive but least effective public safety strategies.

“The data is clear and so too are voters – 72% of Mississippi voters believe it is important to safely reduce the jail and prison populations. It is critical that our leaders not ignore their voices by tripling down on the failed policies of mass incarceration. Instead, we urge them to prioritize data-driven policies that can safely reduce incarceration while improving public safety.”