Red State recently featured an article calling for prison reform, which I thought was an encouraging development[0]. Conservatives, historically, have taken a h

Red State recently featured an article calling for prison reform, which I thought was an encouraging development[0]. Conservatives, historically, have taken a hard line against criminal justice reform in any way that might appear soft on crime[1]. For a prominent conservative site to come out in favor of reform is a step in the right direction. Reading the Red State article, I get a sense that the author is walking a tightrope to frame the argument in terms that conservatives would favor: >I have relatively little sympathy for violent criminal offenders in terms of the punishments they receive. >However, all these efforts are opposed by powerful interest groups that give almost invariably to Democrats – including police and jailer unions who want to protect the jobs of their members. >I am not advocating for free HBO for all prisoners and for government sponsored gender reassignment surgery or anything of the like And so forth. He pretty much covers all the bases. I think that shows a high level of awareness. I also think that going to such lengths suggests a strong desire for reform to actually occur (disclaimer: I had never heard of the author before reading the article). I feel like I should add, conservatives are in no way unique in demanding that scary ideas come with a popsicle. I personally prefer cherry. [0] http://www.redstate.com/2014/12/18/americas-desperate-need-prison-reform/ http://www.redstate.com/2014/12/18/americas-desperate-need-p... [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio#Pink_underwear http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio#Pink_underwear