Fix the Justice System

Justice Should Mean More Than Punishment

One of the most powerful things I've learned in 25 years as a pastor is that people are more than their worst decisions.

That’s something our justice system too often forgets.

I’m running for Congress because I believe justice should be rooted in fairness, restoration, and second chances—not just punishment.

Right now, our system is broken. It’s overcrowded, overly harsh, and deeply unequal. People of color are more likely to be stopped, arrested, and sentenced more harshly than white people. Too many folks are sitting in jail—not because they’ve been convicted—but because they can’t afford bail. And once someone’s served their time, they face roadblocks at every turn: getting a job, finding housing, even voting.

We call it “corrections,” but it rarely corrects anything. It just traps people in a cycle of poverty and punishment.

Here’s what I believe:

• We need to rethink sentencing laws, especially for nonviolent offenses, and end mandatory minimums that don’t fit the crime.

• We must reform cash bail, so people aren’t jailed just because they’re poor.

• We should invest in rehabilitation and reentry, giving people the tools to rebuild their lives.

• And we must address systemic racism in policing, courts, and prisons.

This isn’t about being “soft on crime.” It’s about being smart on justice.

We all want safe communities. But locking more people up for longer doesn’t actually make us safer. What works is addressing the root causes of crime—poverty, addiction, mental illness, and trauma. What works is giving people a path forward, not just slamming the door behind them.

As someone who’s spent time with the formerly incarcerated, I can tell you: most people don’t want a handout. They want a chance. A chance to work, to reconnect with their families, to contribute to their communities.

They want what we all want: a way back.

That’s why I support funding alternatives to incarceration—like drug courts, mental health treatment, and community service programs. These options cost less, work better, and treat people with the dignity they deserve.

We also need to hold law enforcement accountable while supporting the officers who do their jobs with integrity. Trust and safety go hand in hand. When communities trust the system, everyone benefits.

True justice doesn’t mean throwing people away. It means recognizing their humanity, even when they’ve made mistakes. It means believing in restoration—not just retribution.

That’s the kind of justice system I’ll fight for. One where everyone is treated equally, where punishment fits the crime, and where people get a real second chance.

Because justice shouldn’t just be about what someone deserves. It should also be about what’s possible.