A national push toward criminal justice reform has made its way to Nevada, where lawmakers are eyeing changes including the right to vote for felons. Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, D-Las Vegas, is sponsoring the disenfranchisement bill and says the state is certainly new to criminal justice reform. “We have discussed it over the years, but I think this is the first time that in a bipartisan way folks are recognizing that we could actually save taxpayer dollars and protect the public better by being more responsible with how we use our money in the criminal justice system,” Frierson said.
Some states have scaled back from America’s tough-on-crime era with reforms, such as reducing long sentences for drug crimes and instituting more diversion and re-entry programs.
While disagreements persist when it comes to the death penalty and other issues, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is among those to join the movement toward reforms.
“It started in Texas, Kentucky,” Frierson said. “Actually, quite frankly, Republican governors have now nationally started this movement.”
Full Article: Voting rights for felons part of Legislature’s criminal justice reform push – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper.