Safer communities: A vision for Republican leadership

Crime can be an emotional issue, and statistics, if not presented in their proper context, can drive misguided policies that waste money and harm communities. As Iowans discuss the Republican candidates best suited to take on the challenges facing their state and nation, they should be certain that candidate policy proposals reflect an understanding of real problems and are based on programs that have been tried, tested and proven effective at increasing public safety while protecting taxpayer resources.

From 2021 to 2022, Iowa witnessed 9,645 annual violent crimes and 50,076 annual property crimes, troubling statistics that make the security and well-being of Iowa communities a top priority. But those numbers don’t tell the full story. In those same years nearly every category of crime in Iowa decreased. Homicides saw a remarkable 34% drop. To dig deeper, in the corresponding fiscal years, Iowa saw a 27% drop in new prison admissions and a nearly 29% decrease in probation revocations. These figures are not just statistics; they represent lives changed for the better and safer communities.

These reductions in prison admissions and probation revocations coinciding with the massive reductions in crime rates doesn’t necessarily mean that one caused the other, but it certainly disproves the idea that high incarceration rates are what keep Iowans safe.

Fewer probation revocations and lower recidivism rates make citizens and law enforcement safer — and save taxpayers money by decreasing incarcerations.

Criminal justice policy is complicated. We must leverage an evidence-based approach to complex criminal justice issues that balances accountability, rehabilitation, due process, and the proper training and full funding of law enforcement.

Republican presidential hopefuls coming to Iowa to ask for your support should speak clearly and with a holistic vision about how to make America safe while bringing down costs in a struggling justice system. This includes supporting rehabilitation efforts at the federal level, such as the First Step Act, which Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) helped draft. Sen. Grassley said upon passage, “The First Step Act takes lessons from history and from states — our laboratories of democracy — to reduce crime, save taxpayer dollars and strengthen faith and fairness in our criminal justice system.”

Signed into law by former President Donald Trump, the First Step Act is not just about second chances; it's about creating a pathway for individuals to become productive members of society. Other candidates for president, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), helped support and shepherd the First Step Act into law. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) also voted for the First Step Act, which passed the Senate on an overwhelming 87-12 vote.

Conservatives believe in a just criminal justice system that treats people fairly and keeps communities safe. Unfortunately, there are times when people make bad choices, and they need to be separated from society. But 95% of the 2 million people in America’s prisons will someday come back to our communities.

Prisons can either serve as graduate schools for violence and other anti-social behavior, or it can be a place where we incentivize people who have made bad choices to come out better able to contribute to their families and the community.

Without rehabilitation in prisons and policies that allow people to use the positive skills and behaviors they learned, they can easily turn back to a criminal lifestyle. Nuanced policies setting people up for success will lead to safer communities and stronger families.

By providing education, job training, and post-release support, society can give those who choose to turn their lives around a fighting chance at a brighter future. When we invest in rehabilitation, we reduce recidivism, save taxpayer money, and ultimately make our communities safer places to live, work, and raise our families.

As Jan. 15 approaches, disingenuous “tough on crime” rhetoric designed to score cheap political points, not fix problems, may start to fly in Iowa, including attacks on the First Step Act.

Iowa’s first in nation caucus benefits America because of the thoughtfulness of Iowa voters. Iowa is not about political theatrics; its caucus goers take the full measure of the person and the policies they outline.

Comprehensive criminal justice reform is not just good policy; it's the right thing to do. Candidates for president would be well served when addressing Iowans to treat the issue with the seriousness it merits and embrace how effective conservative policies like the First Step Act make Iowa and America safer.

Micah Derry is president of The Adams Project and a former state director of Americans for Prosperity-Ohio.