Matt Whitaker moderates a panel discussion at CPAC Florida with York County, Pennsylvania District Attorney, David Sunday, Macomb County, Michigan Prosecutor, Peter Lucido, and Pinal County, Arizona District Attorney, Kent Volkmer about criminal justice reform.
Sunday preaches accountability. His own district has taken an approach that holds criminals accountable for their trespasses to protect the citizens of York County. York County’s approach is a dynamic one. They work compassionately with criminals afflicted by mental health issues and keep criminals involved in society through productive work and paying taxes.
Lucido highlights the work of the police to keep Macomb County safe. He works to back the blue because he recognizes the invaluable service of law enforcement and the sacrifices their line of work requires them to make. Like Sunday, Lucido also takes a tough but fair approach to prosecuting criminals. Macomb County has implemented reforming programs for mentally ill criminals and drug addicts. One such initiative is the Redirect Program that takes in afflicted criminals and provides them with proper treatment.
Volkmer’s office also takes an alternative approach to criminal reform in an area where substance abuse is on the rise. Instead of systematically assigning sentences based on the crime committed, they analyze each case individually to determine the best sentence or remedy. Such an option allows prosectors to break a system for criminals with substance abuse histories. Rather than going to jail and being bailed out by their drug dealers just to return to the same unhealthy environment, substance abusers can receive transformational care. Volkmer proudly reports that the system his county has implemented has actually resulted in the reduction of crime.