FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            Declines in homicides in big cities have been reported nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, and one factor contributing to this has been criminal justice reform. Such reform has been advocated by criminal justice expert Paul Brakke, who has just published his latest book, Crime in America from American Leadership Books.   

            In this book, one of the reforms Brakke has advocated is reducing incarceration rates for prisoners convicted of less serious nonviolent crimes, since this not only reduces costs but it contributes to returning prisoners to their families and communities.  The result is they are less likely to return to crime, thereby reducing recidivism rates, and more likely to become productive citizens -- a win-win for the individual, the criminal justice system, and the American economy.

            A good example of the connection of this wider reduction in homicide rates and prison reform is a recent report from the San Francisco Bay Area, where homicide rates in San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco dropped by 26% over the past two years -- from 199 in 2016 to 141 in 2018.  While one reason for the drop has been law enforcement's focus on gangs, illegal firearms, and the worst criminal offenders, another reason is criminal justice reforms, which include shrinking the prison population.  This decline in incarceration occurred with one proposition -- Proposition 47-- which lowered some low-level felonies to misdemeanors, and another -- Proposition 57 -- which provided more chances of parole for nonviolent offenders.  

             In Crime in America, Brakke discusses the importance of prison reform and reducing sentences for non-violent less serious offenders at more length, with extensive statistics showing the relationship between reduced incarceration, lower recidivism, and rehabilitation and treatment for prisoners and ex-cons.  Plus he provides many other suggestions for better ways to improve relationships with the police and deal with the opioid crisis and illegal immigration.    Other chapters in the book discuss finding ways to create safer communities with less conflict between different groups in society based on race, ethnicity, income, and other differences.  And now Brakke is reaching out to legislators and governors to consult with them on the best approaches to criminal justice reform in their jurisdiction. 

             As Brakke has previously stated: "We need to make changes based on current data about what works and doesn't.  We should learn from other countries, too -- especially about the more effective prison policies in countries like Germany, Sweden, and Norway, which emphasize rehabilitation, shorter sentences, and getting ex-cons who have committed less serious crimes back into the community, so they can unite with their families and become more productive citizens."

             So now Brakke is using his book to reach out to Federal and state government officials, politicians, and the media to help implement some of his recommended changes.            

             In writing his book and working as a consultant, Brakke brings to the table a unique conservative approach to crime and criminal justice, since usually liberals discuss ways to reform the system through more of a social welfare approach.  But Brakke uses an approach that is more based on an economic business model of doing what works most efficiently to both cut down costs and create more productive citizens.

             Brakke has also made 30 videos featuring highlights from the book which are available on the American Leadership Books YouTube channel at https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCfHgXXiW3jgODnaypgcYZFw/videos/upload

             To learn more, you can get a copy of Crime in America, which is now available through Amazon, Kindle, and major bookstores.  It is currently available on Kindle for free during its special KDP Select Promotion at  https://www.amazon.com/Crime-America-Conservatives-Approaches-Criminals-ebook/dp/B07MKZG84Z  Also, free copies are available for government officials who are seeking ways to reduce crime and fix the criminal justice system and for members of the media at www.crimeinamericathebook.com.

            For media copies of the book, more information on American Leadership Books and Paul Brakke, and to set up interviews, please contact:

Jana Collins

Jones & O'Malley

Toluca Lake, California

jana@jonesomalley.com

(818) 762-8353