Criminal Justice Records of Trump and Harris: A Detailed Analysis
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have contrasting records on criminal justice policy, spanning various aspects such as recidivism, the death penalty, policing, and prison reform.
Recidivism
Harris launched the “Back on Track” initiative in 2005 to reduce recidivism among young, first-time felony drug traffickers. The program reported low recidivism rates among its graduates. The Biden-Harris administration also implemented a policy to remove loan eligibility restrictions based on criminal records.
In 2018, Trump signed the First Step Act, which supported recidivism reduction programs, established risk assessment programs, and provided early release options for participating incarcerated individuals.
Death Penalty
Trump has consistently advocated for the death penalty. Under his administration, federal executions resumed in 2020 after a 17-year hiatus.
Harris opposes the death penalty and has criticized Trump’s calls for its reinstatement. However, she has faced criticism for her decisions in some death penalty cases, such as declining to review Kevin Cooper’s request for additional DNA testing.
Prison Policy
Trump reversed Obama-era policies to phase out private prisons and expanded contracts for privately-run detention centers.
The Biden-Harris administration has ended contracts with private prisons and transferred federal inmates to BOP-run facilities.
Pardons and Commutations
The Trump administration granted pardons to over 140 individuals and commutations to over 90. The Biden-Harris administration has granted pardons to over 120 individuals and commutations to over 25.
Future Plans
Harris’s proposed policies include legalizing marijuana, ending solitary confinement, cash bail reform, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders, and expanding rehabilitative services.
Trump’s campaign plan emphasizes increased funding for police, stronger protection for officers, increased penalties for assaults on law enforcement, and a surge of federal resources into high-crime communities.
Conclusion
Trump and Harris’s records on criminal justice reflect their divergent perspectives on the issue. Their policies differ significantly, with Harris prioritizing rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism, while Trump emphasizes law enforcement and the death penalty.
