Our “right on crime” message is resonating with elected officials. Speaker David Ralston addressed the subject earlier this month and Governor Nathan Deal made criminal justice a major part of his inaugural speech.
From an interview with Speaker Ralston on January 6:
“We’re going to have to start a discussion, I believe, about our policy in terms of how we incarcerate people in Georgia. I’m not sure where that discussion ultimately will lead to,” said Ralston, a one-time candidate for attorney general.
We’re spending a huge amount of money locking people up that have drug problems. At some point the people of Georgia have a right to ask if that’s an appropriate way to spend their tax dollars.”
From Governor Deal’s Inaugural Speech on January 10:
“Presently, one out of every 13 Georgia residents is under some form of correctional control. It cost about $3 million per day to operate our Department of Corrections. And yet, every day criminals continue to inflict violence on our citizens and an alarming number of perpetrators are juveniles.
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For violent and repeat offenders, we will make you pay for your crimes. For other offenders who want to change their lives, we will provide the opportunity to do so with Day Reporting Centers, Drug, DUI and Mental Health Courts and expanded probation and treatment options. As a State, we cannot afford to have so many of our citizens waste their lives because of addictions. It is draining our State Treasury and depleting our workforce.”
