Local justice systems should be driven by integrity, equity, and public safety. However, revenue-generating practices in many communities are expanding the footprint of the local justice system, according to a new report from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU. The report covers many examples of profit motives. Profiteering includes renting out available jail beds, using performance metrics based on enforcement, civil asset forfeiture, privately run community supervision, and criminal fines and fees.
Ram Subramanian, managing director of the Brennan Center’s Justice Program and co-author of this report, notes that “Too many criminal justice functions–from enforcing traffic laws to managing jail populations–operate more as revenue producers than systems to achieve justice and improve public safety.” The MacArthur-supported report proposes ideas for prioritizing public safety and justice above revenue.
