Governor Bryant supports criminal justice changes

Governor Phil Bryant says he’ll support efforts to reduce the number of Mississippians in prison in the 2019 legislative session.

He made the remarks at a meeting on criminal justice reform put on by a coalition of groups that favor changes to reduce harshness in the criminal justice system.

Among issues lawmakers could consider are spending more on re-entry programs, education, substance abuse treatment, and mental health treatment to help people coming out of prison from returning.

Lawmakers could also be asked to set up a statewide public defender system to improve legal representation for people accused of crimes.