We believe in equal accountability for all parts of the criminal justice system. Offenders must be held accountable, as much the public defender’s office, prosecutors, and judges. We believe the best way to increase accountability is through increased transparency. This is why we attend court proceedings and gather data on trials and their outcomes. We seek consistency, and fairness.

Police who abuse their power and cause great harm should face consequences. Voters have the right to elect prosecutors and judges who will keep residents safe. As we invest public funds in rehabilitation and social programs to keep people out of jail, each program must be held accountable for success. Results must be measured and data must be transparent. We should only spend resources on what works.

We support rehabilitation programs to correct harmful behavior instead of mass incarceration. However, imprisonment must be used for the most dangerous and repeat offenders. We must also offer resources that prepare incarcerated people for a successful reentry to society so they are less likely to reoffend. People suffering from mental illness and addiction who are accused of crimes should be given compassionate treatment that can prevent them from reoffending, not punitive measures that are simply a waste.

Funds saved from imprisoning fewer people must be invested in housing, education, healthcare, and job training to provide stability to vulnerable communities — and help end the cycle of crime. Solving the underlying causes of crime will take a regional, state, and national effort. It will also take time to transform communities to the point crime is a less appealing option. Until then, we can’t forget about the victims of crime, whose trauma must be addressed.