Criminal Justice

Our criminal justice system is broken. The United States imprisons more people than any other country in the world, and here in Mississippi, the problems are especially urgent. We’ve built a system that too often criminalizes poverty, disproportionately targets people of color, and focuses more on punishment than on rehabilitation or public safety.

I believe that serious crimes deserve serious consequences. But I also believe in second chances. As a community organizer, I’ve worked to ensure that every Mississippian—no matter their background—has equal access to the protections of the justice system. Justice should not be reserved for the wealthy or the well-connected. It should work for everyone.

After someone has served their time and paid their debt to society, they should have a real opportunity to rebuild their life and contribute to their community. That means removing unnecessary barriers to reentry—whether that’s finding work, securing housing, or getting an education. Supporting rehabilitation doesn’t just benefit the individual—it strengthens families, reduces recidivism, and makes communities safer.

We also need to make sure our prison system is focused on rehabilitation, not just retribution. While not everyone can or will be rehabilitated, many people are ready to turn their lives around—if given the tools and support to do so. That’s just common sense—and it’s good policy.

At the same time, we need to support responsible policing by ensuring law enforcement has the training and resources needed to serve communities effectively and safely. That includes building trust between police departments and the people they serve. Respect, accountability, and cooperation are key to safer neighborhoods.

As your next U.S. Senator, I will fight for a criminal justice system that reflects our values and our common sense. That includes:

• Responsibly funding police, focused on community safety—not militarization.

• Building strong, trust-based relationships between law enforcement and local communities.

• Appointing independent prosecutors to handle police-involved shootings, ensuring accountability and fairness.

• Ending the profit motive in incarceration by eliminating incentives for private companies to run prisons—and working to phase out private prison contracts entirely.

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A justice system should do more than punish—it should protect, rehabilitate, and treat all people with dignity. That’s how we create justice that works—for everyone.