FreedomWorks Statement in Response to Criticisms of Louisiana Criminal Justice Reform Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to recent criticisms of criminal justice reforms in Louisiana by a gubernatorial candidate, Jason Pye, FreedomWorks Vice President of Legislative Affairs, commented:

“Lawmakers and those seeking office in Louisiana should listen to the leading voices in the state and in the country on smart on crime justice reform and ignore the anecdotal and disingenuous fear-mongering of those with political agendas that ignore public safety.

“Justice reforms passed by the conservative Louisiana legislature since 2017 follow the model proven successful in reducing crime and saving taxpayer dollars by other deep-red states across the country.

“From Texas and Utah to Georgia and Mississippi, reforms like Louisiana’s that refocus taxpayer resources on those most dangerous to society have resulted in lower crime rates and reduced prison populations. At the federal level, President Trump last year signed a landmark criminal justice reform bill, the First Step Act, into law based on such results in the states.

“In Louisiana, results have already begun to show the same. These reforms embrace the truest way to be tough on crime: preventing future crime from happening.”