Criminal Justice Reform That Works
The movement for criminal justice reform is one of the most critical social advancements in modern American history. Many modern democracies, from Europe to Japan, have long since transformed their criminal justice systems.
Centaur North's client, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, is a leading advocate for a more just criminal justice system, implementing reforms ranging from mental health courts and prosecutorial misconduct reforms to resentencing initiatives.
These progressive stances represent an evolution for DA Rosen. After visiting Germany’s rehabilitative prison system with the Vera Institute, and the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where his father was imprisoned by the Nazis during WWII, Rosen deepened his commitment to reform.
He further broadened his perspective by traveling with his staff to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit the Legacy Museum, National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Southern Poverty Law Center, enhancing his understanding of slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and mass incarceration.
DA Rosen has significantly advanced his efforts to enhance justice in his county. Recently, he resentenced all of Santa Clara County’s death row inmates to life in prison.
Today, under DA Rosen's leadership, the incarceration rate in Santa Clara County is half of what it was when he was first elected twelve years ago, all while maintaining low crime rates and continuing to advocate for victims of crime.
DA Rosen’s balanced approach to reform has faced opposition from both the right and the left. Two years ago, during a fiercely contested re-election campaign, guided by Centaur North's political strategy, DA Rosen secured nearly 60% of the primary vote, thereby avoiding a runoff election.
Now, that’s the kind of reform that works!
