| It Surely is "A Capitol Concern" |
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The Justice Policy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing society’s reliance on incarceration, has just released a report entitled “A Capitol Concern.” The paper highlights the disproportionate impact of the justice system on low-income communities in Washington, DC, but says the problem isn't unique to the nation's capital. JPI found that “[i]ncarceration is one of the least effective and most expensive public safety strategies, yet DC and other communities continue to rely on this failed tactic.” Apparently, if it's broke, don’t fix it! The report says “[i]ncreasing access to mental health or substance abuse treatment services will reduce incarceration rates, improve public safety and promote community well-being.” Let's hope the powers-that-be in DC and in other communities with the same issues take these findings to heart and act on them. It makes no sense to have policies that keep people sick, untreated and criminalized. |