Attorney Deon Tedder, a candidate for SC State Senate District 42, today announced his criminal justice reform platform.
“Our criminal justice system is broken,” said Tedder. “It is disproportionately harsh on people of color and it does not do enough to rehabilitate individuals who have committed crimes. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to make our criminal justice system fairer and more just.”
Tedder said his platform includes the following reforms:
- Fostering police accountability and community-oriented policing: Tedder will push for comprehensive criminal justice policies aimed at fostering police accountability and community-oriented policing. He would like to build upon reforms made locally by the Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
- Addressing mass incarceration: Tedder will prioritize reforms that address mass incarceration by advocating for diversion programs and alternatives to prison that can address the underlying reasons a person has committed a crime. This includes ensuring every community has access to Drug, Veterans and other problem-solving courts that can provide treatment, guidance, and mental health resources.
- Ensuring that incarcerated individuals receive appropriate support and rehabilitation: Tedder is also committed to ensuring that incarcerated individuals receive appropriate support and rehabilitation. Tedder will support comprehensive initiatives to improve rehabilitation programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, recognizing the importance of providing them with opportunities for successful reentry into society.
- Addressing racial disparities within the criminal justice system: Tedder's plan addresses racial disparities within the criminal justice system. By promoting policies that target the root causes of such disparities and investing in programs that focus on equity and fairness, Tedder aims to build a system that treats all individuals equally and justly.
“These sorts of reforms are essential to making our communities safer and more just,” said Tedder. “I am committed to working with all stakeholders to make these reforms a reality.”
