Arizona

Contact:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM, The S.T.A.R.T Project release results of Arizona criminal justice reform candidate questionnaire

Questions were sent to all Arizona legislative candidates, though not all responded

PHOENIX – FAMM and The S.T.A.R.T Project have released the results of their candidate questionnaire, allowing Arizona’s voters to see where candidates for the state legislature stand on 8 proposed criminal justice reforms covering a range of sentencing and prison issues. The site is searchable by legislative district and candidate name, and available at AZJusticeVoter.org.

“There are 42,000 families with loved ones in prison in Arizona — the days when this issue and these voters could be ignored are over,” said Molly Gill, FAMM’s vice president of policy. “We asked the candidates to take positions on reforms they could be voting on at the state Capitol – all of the questions are about real proposals already being debated. Justice reform voters are coming to the polls in droves this year, and they deserve to know which candidates share their priorities.”

Lillian Coppess, president of The S.T.A.R.T Project, echoed this sentiment.

“More Arizona families are impacted by incarceration than ever before,” said Coppess. “This November, these families will head to the ballot box to make their voices heard. We are arming voters with the information they need — straight from the candidates themselves — to make the choices that will amplify their voices at the Capitol.”

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies at the state and federal level and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.