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"Tough on Crime" Politics

A woman in an orange jail uniform crouches toward the ground, against a fence.
Closing Argument March 29
How States Are Undoing Criminal Justice Reforms
Louisiana, New York and other states are rolling back reforms — and efforts to reduce excessive sentencing or expand parole are smaller in scope.
By
Election 2024 October 21, 2024
Fact-checking Over 12,000 of Donald Trump’s Quotes About Immigrants
“I could get elected twice over the wall,” said Trump. It is one of the few true things he’s said about immigration.
By The Marshall Project Staff
The hand of a person with light-toned skin holds a red, white and blue sticker that reads “Yo voté!” “M’ vote!” “I voted!” and “iamelectionready.”
Election 2024 August 16, 2024
FAQ: How The Marshall Project Is Covering the 2024 Election
Learn more about who we are and how we choose what political stories to cover.
By The Marshall Project
Gov. Michael Dukakis, a White man in a checkered shirt, holds a leaflet that has the words "Vote for George Bush" and "Security" printed on them, among other text that is not visible.
Election 2024 July 31, 2024
What It Means to ‘Willie Horton’ a Political Candidate
Donald Trump supporters run their version of the original dog-whistle attack ad against Kamala Harris. Here’s the history.
By
Gov. Jeff Landry, a White man wearing a blue suit and red tie, speaking at a podium in January 2024.
Closing Argument March 9, 2024
These States Are Once Again Embracing ‘Tough-on-Crime’ Laws
Louisiana is one of several states passing punitive measures in response to public fears.
By
A black and white photograph shows a large electronic billboard with a closeup of an eye at the front of a store in New York.
Analysis February 27, 2023
What the Panic Over Shoplifting Reveals About American Crime Policy
Lawmakers consider bills to crack down on people ripping off retailers, even as some stores walk back claims about a growing theft problem.
By
Three police officers stand in the middle of a street at night. Another group of officers stands on a lawn with crime scene tape wrapped around lamp poles in the background.
Closing Argument November 5, 2022
Ahead of Midterms, Most Americans Say Crime is Up. What Does the Data Say?
More people than ever believe crime is up in their area, polls show. But public perception doesn’t always match reality.
By , and
Defense attorney and state assemblyman Ozzie Fumo spoke at a hearing in Clark County District Court in 2013 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Analysis November 6, 2020
“Law and Order” Still Reigns in State Supreme Court Elections
A Nevada state supreme court candidate was one of very few nationwide to run on a message of reform. Most campaigns leaned on “tough on crime” strategy yet again.
By
Commentary April 11, 2016
Bill Clinton, “Black Lives” and the Myths of the 1994 Crime Bill
Pause the debate for some inconvenient history.
By Marc Mauer
Feature January 14, 2016
Republican Candidates on Criminal Justice: A Primer
Their sixth debate is in Charleston, a city still recovering from last year’s church killings.
By The Marshall Project
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