Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan House Sentencing Reform Package

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the bipartisan introduction of the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 in the House of Representatives:

“We applaud the House for joining the Senate in introducing bipartisan legislation to make long overdue reforms to our justice system. Thirty years of ‘tough on crime’ sentencing has created an unjust system that imprisons more people than in any other nation in the world, a disproportionate number of whom are Black, Latino, low-income, and nonviolent. We have learned that we cannot imprison our way to safety.

This harmonic convergence of left and right – of civil rights and small government advocates – represents a coalition of conscience that can carry this legislation to the White House.

We appreciate the bipartisan spirit behind this bill and the efforts of Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Conyers, and Rep. Jackson-Lee for making it possible. We look forward to working with both the House and the Senate to enact the best possible sentencing reform for our nation.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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