American Police Beat: January 2018 17 D uring the 2016 Republican Na- tional Conven- tion in Cleve- land, I participated in a national panel on crim- inal justice reform with like-minded, conservative governors Nathan Deal of Georgia and Mary Fallin of Oklahoma. It was an honor for me to discuss how best to create second chance opportunities with these two veterans of criminal justice reform. When I was elected as governor in 2015, it was my intention that Kentucky would also be making significant changes to our criminal justice system. That is exactly what we have been doing. With a rising prison population, severely de- pleted workforce par- ticipation rates, and the highest percentage in the nation of children with at least one incarcerated parent, we unfortunately had plenty of room for improvement. For years Kentucky had maintained an outdated, “lock-em-up and throw away the key” approach. That was unsustainable from both a societal and financial cost and we were determined to shake up the status quo. Transform- ing our justice systems, sup- porting poli- cies that safe- ly reduce our jail and pris- on popula- tions, putting ex-offenders back to work, creating safer communities — doing what is right for the people we represent is not a political statement. We began by making it easier for formerly in- carcerated people to get back to work, passing a comprehensive felony ex- pungement bill that allows certain former offenders, who have been crime-free for five years, to wipe their slates clean. We also passed a bold reentry initiative that- provides for more job training and eliminates regulatory barriers to em- ployment for people with criminal records. Our administration implemented “ban the box” for state government agencies to give ex-offend- ers a fair shot at employment, and launched the “Justice to Journeyman” i n i t i a t i v e , which paves a pathway for inmates and detained youth to earn nation- ally recognized credentials in a skilled trade. Kentucky’s success as the center for engineering and manufacturing excellence in America is only being enhanced as we pioneer changes in criminal justice policy. This week, I will share with national fo- rums in Washington, D.C. and Texas how Kentucky’s new policies are fostering economic opportunity and putting Kentuckians back to work. At the latter forum, I will be joined by Io- wa’s new governor, Kim Reynolds. She, too, is determined to improve pathways to opportunity for those who have made mistakes, particularly those with addiction and mental health issues. I will encourage her, and all governors, to tack- le criminal justice reform policy with a sense of urgency and purpose. Some political advisors still speak passionately about being “tough on crime,” and caution that supporting criminal jus- tice reform policy could be politically dangerous at election time. This is a ridiculous no- tion. After all, more than 90 percent of those now incarcerated will eventu- ally re-enter society. We either pave a path towards second oppor- tunities or we settle for recidivism. Which is better for our communities? If we want voters to continue electing con- servatives, we must offer serious solutions. We can no longer afford to cling to the outdated idea that prison alone is the only way to hold people accountable for their crimes. Instead, we need to take a smarter, more measured approach to criminal justice. More than simply removing lawbreakers from society, we must also rehabilitate and re-assimilate them back into society. In the midst of national division in many fronts, a community of conserva- tive governors are unit- ing to build trust and offer real solutions to some of our country’s greatest problems. Transforming our jus- tice systems, supporting policies that safely reduce our jail and prison popula- tions, putting ex-offenders back to work, creating safer communities — doing what is right for the peo- ple we represent is not a political statement. America has always been a land of opportu- nity and second chances. When we hold individ- uals fully accountable for their actions while treating them with re- spect in the process, all of society benefits. Republican Matt Bevin is the 62nd and current governor of Kentucky. Criminal justice reform is a non-partisan issue For years Kentucky had a “lock-em-up and throw away the key” approach. That was unsustainable from both a societal and financial cost perspective. As you all know, I won this election because I’m a big law and order guy and I’m all about public safety. So it’s with a heavy heart that I’m asking for more layoffs at the police department. The good news is that we just got a bunch of surveillance cameras from some billionaire. ★ by Matt Bevin