JACKSON, MS – FWD.us Mississippi State Director Alesha Judkins issued the following statement today in response to Governor Tate Reeves’ signing of bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation:

“Today is a big day for Mississippians across the state, particularly for people and families who sadly, know firsthand just how devastating the state’s incarceration crisis is, and who have, alongside other advocates, pushed to ensure meaningful opportunities for release for their loved ones.

“These reforms will help Mississippi begin to address its dangerously high prison population and high imprisonment rate. By expanding parole eligibility, the state has joined several other Southern states in passing common sense criminal justice reform measures that have safely reduced prison populations and decreased crime rates at the same time. We look forward to helping the state implement this important legislation that brings hope to so many incarcerated people and their families.

“Mississippi has taken a huge step forward with the enactment of SB 2795 thanks to the courageous leadership of Sen. Juan Barnett, Sen. Daniel Sparks, Rep. Kevin Horan, Speaker Philip Gunn, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, and several other lawmakers who worked tirelessly to get this legislation across the finish line.

“This is just one important step. We stand ready to continue working with legislators and state leadership on more common sense solutions, like changing the state’s harsh habitual sentencing laws, further safely reducing Mississippi’s prison population, and strengthening families and communities across our state.”