Issues

Our criminal justice system should treat all Floridians equally. In Florida, when Black people make up only 16% of our state's population but 46% of our incarcerated population, it's clear that reform is needed. We must support policies that ensure fair treatment of all people, remove barriers to reentry, and increase government transparency and accountability.

For far too long, Florida has used incarceration as the solution to issues like poverty, mental illness, and addiction. Black and Brown folks are often given longer, harsher sentences than White folks in our state, and as a result, they often must deal with higher bail amounts. Each year, thousands of people sit in our jails simply because they are unable to post bail, while wealthier, more privileged folks can be at home.

Emily believes that the racial disparities seen in Florida's criminal justice system must urgently be addressed and our cash bail system needs progressive reforms. Additionally, we must incentivize and reward good behavior, offer more educational and skills training programs, and provide more support upon release so that we can help reduce an individual's likelihood of re-offending.