Criminal Justice Reform

Protecting Prisoners, Detainees and Guards from COVID-19

Letter •
June 1, 2020 ...

A letter to congressional leadership on conditions for prisoners included proposals to: expand eligibility for compassionate release in the federal prison system; use digital programming; increase reentry funding; and discontinue penalizing second-chance entrepreneurs. The NAE also joined with the Evangelical Immigration Table and another group of immigrant advocates in writing the Department of Homeland Security …

Congress Approves First Step Toward Criminal Justice Reform

Press Release •
December 21, 2018 ...

“The First Step Act responds to longstanding concerns that have been expressed by the National Association of Evangelicals and others about the overuse of incarceration and the destructive impact of prison life,” said Galen Carey, NAE vice president of government relations. The measure strengthens rehabilitation programming in federal prisons, so that inmates are better prepared …

Prisoners Can Become Pastors

Evangelical Leaders Survey, Survey/Poll •
March 30, 2018 ...

“Evangelicals believe that the gospel transforms lives. When former prisoners serve in ministry, we are reminded of the redemption and restoration that all Christians enjoy in Christ,” said Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, shared that his father served as a Pentecostal …

Justice Declaration

Statement •
June 20, 2017 ...

Because the good news of Jesus Christ calls the Church to advocate (or “be a witness”) for biblical truth and to care for the vulnerable, we, His followers, call for a justice system that is fair and redemptive for all. The Church has both the unique ability and unparalleled capacity to confront the staggering crisis …

Felons Should Be Allowed to Vote

Evangelical Leaders Survey, Survey/Poll •
December 1, 2015 ...

While many states restore voting rights to individuals automatically after they exit jail or prison, others permanently disenfranchise ex-offenders or require that they petition the government to have their rights restored. According to Justice Fellowship, nearly 6 million American citizens are barred from voting — three fourths of whom have already served their sentences. “Evangelicals …

Rubio Leads List for Evangelical Leaders; Many Undecided

Evangelical Leaders Survey, Survey/Poll •
October 29, 2015 ...

Ben Carson and John Kasich trailed Rubio — each with 12 percent. Jeb Bush received 9 percent of the votes. Other candidates — including Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump — received an insignificant number of votes. “Rubio represents a new generation of conservative leadership to many,” said Leith Anderson, NAE president. …

New NAE Resolution Recognizes Different Views on Death Penalty

Press Release •
October 19, 2015 ...

The new resolution states, “Evangelical Christians differ in their beliefs about capital punishment, often citing strong biblical and theological reasons either for the just character of the death penalty in extreme cases or for the sacredness of all life, including the lives of those who perpetrate serious crimes and yet have the potential for repentance …

Capital Punishment

Resolution •
October 15, 2015 ...

We affirm with the Apostle Paul that governments are called to administer justice to protect citizens and preserve the common good. As citizens of the United States, we are grateful for the degree of public safety most Americans experience and the rules of due process embodied, if imperfectly implemented, in our legal system. American justice …

Letter to Add Smarter Sentencing Act to Agenda

Statement •
April 21, 2015 ...

Dear Chairmen Grassley and Goodlatte and Ranking Members Leahy and Conyers: We are writing to voice our support for the Smarter Sentencing Act (SSA, S. 502/H.R. 920) and to request that you include sentencing reform in your immediate Committee mark-up agendas. Crime causes harm at multiple levels of society and demands accountability. Punishment should be …

Letter to Senator Reid on Smarter Sentencing Act

Letter •
June 5, 2014 ...

The Honorable Harry Reid U.S. Senate 522 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Reid: We are writing to urge you to advance the Smarter Sentencing Act (S. 1410), a bipartisan, bicameral bill that promotes more effective and just criminal sentencing without reducing public safety. Advancing this reasonable reform this year is both …