Testimony Before the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Committee

Rafael A. Mangual testified in a hearing before the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Committee.

Good afternoon,

Thank you for the invitation to testify on this important issue. My name is Rafael Mangual. I am the Nick Ohnell fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, where I also serve as head of research for the Institute’s Policing & Public Safety Initiative.

What I’d like to do in the limited time I have is (1) explain the potential benefits of pursuing what’s colloquially known as a “three-strikes” regime, and (2) offer my thoughts on changes this body may want to consider in order to maximize those benefits and minimize potential excesses.

There are two overarching rationales for such a policy: One is illustrated by the deterrent effect of the policy on individuals who might be subjected to the enhancements as a result of their criminal histories. The other is that by incarcerating repeat offenders for lengthy periods, society will enjoy the benefits that attend their incapacitation.[1]

Click here to read the full testimony

______________________

Rafael Mangual is the Nick Ohnell Fellow and head of research for the Policing and Public Safety Initiative at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal. He is also the author of Criminal (In)Justice: What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets Wrong and Who It Hurts Most.