As part of his historic visit to the United States this week, Pope Francis will be traveling from one extreme of American power—the hallowed chambers of Congress, home of some of the most influential men and women in the nation—to another: the Curran Frumhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Andrea Cabral, former Secretary of Public Safety, thinks his high-profile could spur action in the nation's debate over criminal justice reform.
"People who are incarcerated—and in some cases, for very good reason—by and large have no constituency, no one who is actively advocating on their behalf. The problem with reform is there hasn't been any political will in a long time because there's no push to do it," Cabral said.
"He can change that," she said.
Cabral said one area the Pope could encourage reform could be alternatives to incarceration: programs that hold individuals accountable for their actions but do not exceed the punishments deserved for the crimes committed. He could also prompt discussions of more effective re-entry programs to give people who have served their time a chance to start a new live in society.
"He can talk about second chances for people and redemption for people, and finding ways for people in the system to seek that before being incarcerated," she said.
To hear more from Andrea Cabral, tune in to Boston Public Radio above.
