On April 25th we hosted a presentation by Insha Rahman, Vice President for Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice and Director of Vera Action where she discussed insights in national and Michigan research on crime and safety messaging. Discover effective strategies to shape the narrative, and beat tired “tough on crime” opposition with proven “serious about safety” messages that promote sound policies and motivate voters. View the event slide presentation here.
Many lawmakers who support policies to reduce mass incarceration fear getting attacked for being weak on crime. Vera’s polling sought to address this, testing various messaging approaches. The findings revealed effective ways for politicians and advocates to discuss these issues that resonate with voters and counter the tough-on-crime narrative. Research from Vera demonstrates effective ways to communicate about criminal justice issues, emphasizing a commitment to safety.