There's nothing conservative about allowing ourselves to become so inured to a 'tough on crime' frame of mind that we would abandon tested alternatives that can yield better outcomes.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
If we were really tough on crime, we'd do more to stop it from happening in the first place.
If we were really tough on crime, we'd try to save our children from the desperation and deprivation that leave them primed for a life of crime.
Squeeze human nature into the straitjacket of criminal justice and crime will appear.
Given the devastation that crime can visit on families and communities, I will err on being a little too tough on crime than being too soft on crime.
People have started to see that 'smart on crime' rather than 'tough on crime' makes sense.
Generally speaking, the public appetite for criminal justice policy is just tough talk.
Seeking justice is always our goal, but we see many too willing to circumvent that.
Our laws are too lax, our justice system too weak - particularly when it comes to violent, dangerous offenders.
We must renew our efforts to keep our communities safe, from the dangers of terrorists from foreign lands and from common criminals here at home. Let no criminal believe that tough fiscal times will yield an open cell door and a ticket to freedom.
No funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.