Transcript: Criminal Justice Reform Roundtable einnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from einnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New look at incarceration: consequences for kids
Kaitlyn Owens
In 2018, Jennifer (not her real name) was a St. Louis County single mom with sole custody of her two girls, Sophia and Peyton (whose names have also been changed), ages 12 and 10. After a complicated case involving a number of her co-conspirators testifying against her, she was sentenced to 30 months in prison for three counts of mail fraud.
When their mother left for prison, Sophia and Peyton were placed in the custody of an ex-husband with severe behavioral health challenges. They were removed from their home and all that was familiar to them, confused about what was happening, and terrified about what was to come. “Your mom’s a bank robber,” taunted one of Sophia’s classmates.
Gov. Bill Lee is hosting a roundtable conversation on criminal justice policy with several conservative leaders including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Texas Governor Rick Perry.
“Criminal justice reform is still somewhat of a conservative frontier, and with our strong proposals, we can reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars and make Tennessee communities safer,” Lee said in a statement.
“I look forward to a thoughtful discussion on how Tennessee can lead the nation in balancing the notion of justice with the public safety outcomes we all expect.”
The Roundtable Discussion on Conservative Criminal Justice Reform begins at 11:15 a.m. The Tennessean will have live coverage.
Governor Bill Lee To Host Newt Gingrich, Governor Rick Perry And Conservative Policy Leaders In Roundtable Conversation chattanoogan.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chattanoogan.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.