I've noted several times that the movement for a mass reduction of federal sentences has never been shown to have significant or broad support among the public (which is why it's opaquely named sentencing "reform"), and instead is being carried by special interests, lobbyists, think tanks and billionaires. I thought it might be useful to provide a partial list so readers can see what I mean.
Here they are:
Bill: It is telling --- but not really surprising --- that you have left off this list all the prominent conservative groups that have been quite vocal in support of sentencing reform. Groups such as:
ALEC
American Conservative Union
Americans for Tax Reform
FreedomWorks
Heritage
Prison Fellowship
Right on Crime
To my knowledge, all of these grounps and/or their leaders, have been a lot more involved in sentencing reform advocacy than a numbner of the groups you list --- e.g., I am unaware of CAIR or NOW having any significant role in any sentencing reform discussions.
I guess you missed the word "partial."
P.S. That some conservatives should align themselves with such a consortium of fringe Left organizations should give them considerable pause -- and sooner or later, it will.
I saw the word, partial, Bill, but it would have been more accurate to say at the outset "Here are left-leaning organizations (save the Koch folks) who are supporting sentencing reform."
More to the point, Bill, I am hoping you might soon provide a list (partial or full) of those public policy and/or private reform groups --- including any "special interests, lobbyists, think tanks and billionaires" --- that are active and vocal supporters of tougher sentencing laws or even the current sentencing status quo? If the public is, as you like to assert, strongly against any sentencing reform, I would expect to see at least a few prominent groups voicing this position (and garnering public support in so doing).
The only group that comes to mind who has voiced significant opposition to sentencing reform is the National Association of Assistant US Attorneys (NAAUSA), a group which notably does not have to appeal to the public for money or for votes.
Becuase you spend a lot more time inside the Beltway that I do, perhaps you are aware of examples of other issues in which the public voice is not reflected in any policy advocacy. But in the context of lots of other issues --- e.g., gun rights, abortion, religious freedom, etc. --- it always seems that any and every position with any significant public support has an interest-group advocating forcefully on the public's behalf.
I would be grateful to hear more from you about (1) any groups you know about other than NAAUSA advocating forcefully for tough-and-tougher sentencing positions, and/or (2) why there are not more groups on the anti-sentencing-reform side of the debate given that you and I above identified nearly two dozen prominent groups now advocating for sentencing reform.