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Re: “Criminal justice reform doesn’t mean being soft on crime,” April 9 guest commentary.
The guest commentary by B.J. Nikkel and Rep. Pete Lee addressed the most important yet ignored public policy issue facing our state today. We must find solutions to lift people out of a system that cycles between poverty, recidivism and prison. It is not a question of being “soft on crime,” but instead an opportunity to eradicate much of it altogether by introducing meaningful and productive alternatives. I’m surprised and delighted to see that this pressing issue has allied normally opposed political groups like the ACLU and Koch Industries — it will take the combined efforts of many to make ours a better future.
Here’s hoping our elected leaders on the state and national level don’t ignore the looming shadows any longer and join in the effort to help those who need it most. Criminal justice reform is an idea whose time has come.
Mario Nicolais,Lakewood
This letter was published in the April 16 edition.
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