State of Indiana Archives: on Crime
Eric Holcomb:
For oversight of police & body cameras
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Eric Holcomb: Unclear on use of force. Yes on oversight, requiring body cameras for state police and third-party review of Law Enforcement Academy curriculum.
Woody Myers: Yes. Seeks "new training procedures to eliminate excessive force," choke holds banned, "community-based training," new "accountability policies and procedures."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Woody Myers:
Ban choke holds; need community-based training for police
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Woody Myers: Yes. Seeks "new training procedures to eliminate excessive force," choke holds banned, "community-based training," new "accountability policies and procedures."
Eric Holcomb: Unclear on use of force. Yes on oversight, requiring body cameras for state police and third-party review of Law Enforcement Academy curriculum.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Eric Holcomb:
Training programs for felons reduced recidivism
I challenged our Department of Correction to graduate 1,000 inmates annually in certified programs that lead to good jobs when they get out--both to boost our economy and because they are less likely to return to prison. I'm happy to report,
that as of today the DOC has graduated more than 3,000 inmates in just two year. Because of these new programs and opportunities, our state recidivism rate has dropped 4 percent.
Source: 2020 Indiana State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Eric Holcomb:
Signs victims' rights law, tightening criminal penalties
Holcomb has signed a victims' rights bill into law, Senate Enrolled Act 551, which addresses several areas dealing with crime victims [such as] a gap in the current kidnapping and criminal confinement laws by creating an offense when the
kidnapping or criminal confinement results in moderate bodily injury to the victim. The legislation does away with the current practice of offenders having the opportunity to have their felony domestic battery conviction to a misdemeanor.
Source: Eagle Country 99.3FM on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Mar 31, 2019
Eddie Melton:
Restore state scholarship eligibility to felony offenders
A General Assembly measure would restore state scholarship eligibility to felony offenders. Sen. Melton said his bill is aimed at preparing offenders for the workforce and giving them a second chance [which has been prohibited since] 2008.
It would affect offenders now in prison for a felony."I think everyone deserves a fair shot if they're trying to better themselves and be productive," said Melton. "I think this will minimize student loan and debt and encourage them to take classes."
Source: Chicago Tribune: Indiana voting record: O'Bannon scholarship
Jan 22, 2019
Eric Holcomb:
Train prisoners to reduce recidivism
In 2018, we began enrolling Department of Correction offenders in programs to train them for high-wage, high-demand jobs everything from welding to computer coding. I said last year we'd graduate 1,000 by 2020 and we're already there, a year ahead of
schedule. In less than a year, we already have coding programs in two of our facilities, and Google.org recently announced it would invest $2 million into this proven program that has a zero percent recidivism rate.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Indiana legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Andrew Straw:
In some cases, punishment can reduce crime
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: In some cases, it can reduce crime. Some "crimes" should not be crimes, however, such as marijuana possession or CBD oil possession or growing hemp.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate
Feb 28, 2018
Mark Hurt:
One small brick in the wall of justice
For over 18 years, Hurt has served as one small brick in the wall of justice by serving as a part-time Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the local level for the State of Indiana.
In regard to criminal justice reform, Hurt commended the foresight shown by then Governor Mike Pence and the Indiana legislature but noted that more remains to be done.
There is no co-pay and no deductible for patients, for example, receiving mental health care through the prison system. To that end, he commends an expansion of
HIP 2.0 to those leaving the prisons and jails so expanded health care services, transportation, housing and counseling services--medicine evaluation and medical treatment--can occur through forensic diversion.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org
Mar 3, 2017
Eric Holcomb:
Give prosecutors resources to protect vulnerable seniors
Q: How will you strengthen laws to protect seniors from abuse and financial exploitation?Eric J. Holcomb: My administration will support county prosecutors by giving them the tools and resources they need to protect vulnerable adults at the local
level, while at the same time directing the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to work alongside those prosecutors to collaboratively develop best practices for the Adult Protective Services (APS) program. I will also instruct
FSSA to work with Indiana's Prosecuting Attorneys to define the appropriate staff levels needed to protect endangered adults and support legislation to meet those staffing levels.
John R. Gregg: Our APS system is underfunded and understaffed.
I've also pledged to examine and review all state law enforcement agencies. As we conduct these reviews we'll make sure that FSSA, our prosecutors, and law enforcement are working together to properly protect our seniors.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
John Gregg:
Adult Protective Services is underfunded and understaffed
Q: How will you strengthen laws to protect seniors from abuse and financial exploitation?John R. Gregg: Abuse and exploitation of vulnerable Hoosiers is a problem that will be a focus of my administration. A look at our numbers compared to other
states shows that our Adult Protective Services (APS) system is underfunded and understaffed. In office I will work with legislative leaders to make increasing funding for APS a top budget priority and support increasing penalties for abuse and
financial crimes against the elderly. I've also pledged to examine and review all state law enforcement agencies. As we conduct these reviews we'll make sure that Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) , our prosecutors,
and law enforcement are working together to properly protect our seniors.
Eric J. Holcomb: My administration will support county prosecutors by giving them the tools and resources they need to protect vulnerable adults at the local level.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
John Gregg:
Push community policing through federal COPS resources
The primary goal of community policing is for officers to work with residents, neighborhood groups, and public and private organizations to identify and resolve issues that affect the quality of life in specific neighborhoods, regions or entire cities.
Community policing stresses prevention, early identification of potential issues--including acts of terrorism--and timely intervention to deal with problems before they become unwieldy.
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is dedicated to promoting the community policing approach to law enforcement across the nation. COPS provides technical assistance and training resources, including grants, to assist local law enforcement
agencies with improving community relationships and crime prevention. A Gregg/Hale administration will work with COPS to ensure Hoosier communities have access to these valuable resources for improving safety in our neighborhoods.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
John Gregg:
Transparent investigations of deadly force incidents
Unfortunately, our country has seen an increase in the number of deadly force incidents between law enforcement officers and citizens. A Gregg/Hale administration will be proactive in providing law enforcement the necessary tools and training to
properly protect our citizens and themselves during volatile encounters. As Governor, John Gregg will promote investigations conducted by trained and independent law enforcement professionals to ensure a thorough, lawful and unbiased review.
The Gregg/Hale team believes that in order maintain public trust and build positive bridges of communication in situations where lives are lost, transparency and thorough investigations are an essential part of the process.
Governor Gregg will support an open, honest and productive environment between the public and police in order to eliminate any ambiguity and apprehension.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
Mike Pence:
Reduce crime, not penalties for crime
The Indiana criminal code will be updated after House Bill 1006 was signed into law by Gov. Pence. That bill will replace Indiana's A through F felony system with a 1 through 6 system (1 being the most severe). It's the first major overhaul of the state
criminal code since 1978. The governor says he's interested in reducing prison populations. But he wants do that by reducing crime, not by decreasing penalties on some crimes. "I think we need to focus on reducing crime, not reducing penalties," he said.
Source: Indiana Economic Digest on Indiana Voting Records, H.B.1006
May 21, 2016
Brian Bosma:
Supports capital punishment, and use of deadly force at home
Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?A: Yes.
Q: Should homeowners be allowed to use deadly force to stop an unlawful entry by law enforcement officers?
A: Yes.
Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
A: Yes.
Bosma adds, "The above questions are extremely generalized and individual circumstances will dictate the answers."
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial 2012 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Mitch Daniels:
Strengthen laws against horrid practice of human trafficking
We should--no, we must--strengthen our laws against the horrid practice of human trafficking, and we must do it in time for the
Super Bowl, the kind of event at which the exploitation of young women is rampant in the absence of such a tough law.
Source: Indiana 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 10, 2012
Mitch Daniels:
Support the death penalty
Indicate which principles you support regarding crime. - Support the death penalty in Indiana.
- Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
-
Daniels adds, "Indiana does not currently need additional prison capacity. If/when it does, I will support creating it."
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Mitch Daniels:
Prevent recidivism with vocational training & alternatives
Indicate which principles you support regarding crime. - Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain
non-violent offenders.
- Daniels adds, "My administration has created a number of prisoner re-entry and community corrections programs to prevent recidivism and provide alternatives to incarceration for appropriate offenders."
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021