Advocacy, Reports, & More

Reports & Memos

2021

State Policy Papers

In this new series of policy papers, we urge state and local governments to carefully consider strategies to promote public safety and ensure justice for local communities. With those goals in mind, and consistent with longstanding LEL principles and many of the recommendations made in our April 2020 federal report Ensuring Justice & Public Safety, these draft policy papers offer specific policy recommendations in each of five areas:

• Community Policing
• Juvenile Justice
• Mental Health and Diversion
• Recidivism Reduction
• Sentencing Reform

2020

Briefing Memo: Alternatives to Incarceration (Fact Sheet)

Police officers are not mental health or addiction professionals. Yet, police are often the first responders to people in crisis while lacking alternatives other than making an arrest. After arrests, offenders are often incarcerated, rather than treated. Stopping this cycle is key to restoring police legitimacy and keeping our communities safe.

Briefing Memo: Pell Grant Restoration (Fact Sheet)

As part of our continued commitment to promote sensible criminal justice reform and reduce recidivism, Law Enforcement Leaders supports the restoration of Pell Grant funding to incarcerated individuals. This fact sheet shows that higher education in prisons is one of the most effective ways to combat recidivism.

Briefing Memo: Louisiana Criminal Justice Reform (Fact Sheet)

Louisiana joined the nationwide movement to pass smart criminal justice reforms. These deliberate and reasoned reforms deserve credit for the impacts they have already had and will have in the future. Nationally, data demonstrates that these reforms successfully hold offenders accountable, allow police and prosecutors to focus on violent crimes, and provide effective programs for successful reentry.

2018

Briefing Memo: FIRST STEP Act & Sentencing Reform (Fact Sheet)

In 2018, Law Enforcement Leaders supported the compromise that would amend the FIRST STEP Act (S. 2795 “FIRST STEP”) to include portions of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S. 1917 “SRCA”). This fact sheet analyzes key provisions of the combined bill that will enhance both public safety and efficiency for law enforcement.

2017

A Crime & Justice Agenda For The New Administration (Policy Paper)

To better combat crime, we must improve our nation’s crime policies. This report offers five policies the new Administration should support to forge a path to advance our common goal of a safer nation.