Why Conservatives Embraced Criminal Justice Reform

Since the 1970s, conservatives have been the driving force behind mass incarceration through their advocacy of “law and order” policies. However, in recent years, conservatives have reversed course, becoming unlikely champions of criminal justice reform. How do we explain this critical shift? The Freedom Project at Wellesley College is pleased to host Steven Teles, co-author of Prison Break: Why Conservatives Turned Against Mass Incarceration (2016), for a public lecture on this issue.


Steven Teles

Associate Professor Political Science, Johns Hopkins University

Steven Teles is associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University and a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center.