Update - State of Our State

Hello, hello!

I would like to dedicate this blog post to the recently held State of Our State conference, hosted by the Morrison Institute. This was the first time the conference focused on 1 central theme, i.e. criminal justice and the role of private prisons and sentencing reform. The conference was organized into 4 panel discussions, "Who is incarcerated in Arizona";"Bipartisan Reform Strategies"; "What is the Role for Private Prisons and "What's Next for Arizona?".

As this policy topic is highly contentious it led to some lively discussions. I found myself most engaged with the first panel discussion featuring Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and the Arizona Program Director - American Friends Service Committee, Caroline Issacs. Both individuals are passionate advocates about sentencing reform. Ms. Issacs highlighted the acceleration of the prison population vs. the actual population (174% vs. 74%). As a state, Arizona spends less on each prisoner today than it did in 1992 (a decrease of 14%). What does this mean policy implication-wise? 

As the prison population ages, the state and country will have increased medical costs. Let's not forget there are chronically ill individuals incarcerated in Tucson. These include individuals with disabilities; we need to ask not just who is being put away but why? 

According to Mr. Montgomery we cannot forget about the deterrent aspect. In Arizona, one needs to work hard to enter the prison system. The 3 strikes policy applies to Arizona, meaning the third time one has committed an act that violates the law, he/she will become incarcerated.  Moreover, 48% of those who go through the court system serve prison sentences. Some of the most pressing concerns with respect to the incarcerated population are transients, and the shared border with Mexico (i.e. smuggling; both drug and human).

It appears we are creating a newly incarcerated population, rather than addressing the actual issues (including treatment of substance & mental health). Due to very specific sentencing code changes with emphasis on longer sentences and probation being knocked, increased numbers of people are going into the prison system and with little chance of coming out.

The statistics from the other panels did not paint a much brighter picture - including a six-fold increase in the incarcerated population from the mid 1970s to the mid 2000s.

There were many calls from the other panels that stressed the role of privatization, especially as these save the state several dollars that can be used in other areas (e.g. education). The question remains, does Arizona have the political will to incorporate private prison reform? 

The Morrison Institute - An Insider's Perspective

Hello,
It's been awhile... hope everyone's term has been winding down on a high note.

I would like to spend the next little while discussing the ups and downs of the Morrison Institute. Let's begin with the strengths of this non-partisan think tank affiliated with Arizona State University. This institute makes a concerted effort in producing research that is bias-free and uses quantitative data analysis tools effectively. Moreover, the staff are versed in a wide array of areas, with each policy analyst having particular areas of focus. Whether working independently or collaboratively, several pairs of eyes review reports before the final edition is brought to print/the morrison website. It should also be mentioned the staff complement one another and this makes for an easy work environment. When it comes to training new staff and interns, individuals quickly learn the ins and outs of working at MI. This is an asset for not just the new staff,  but when deadlines loom, more individuals are able to work on the projects with pending deadlines.

As mentioned earlier, the staff are the core of this institution and ensure smooth sailing for projects/reports. In terms of any changes that could be implemented, if I were to lead an organization similar to the MI, I would seek more panel discussions involving the public to understand the concerns of local citizens. The event held by the Morrison Institute in early June on the potential legalization of recreational marijuana led to some lively discussions, and also shed light on how some citizens would be affected by this legislation. If the Morrison Institute and similar think tanks were to poll citizens and receive a significant proportion of responses (ballots filled out), this could lead to increased citizen engagement.

Overall, the Morrison Institute is able to capitalize on the staff's talents, which is integral to organizational success and growth. The organization allows policy analysts to seek their own projects, i.e. independence is encouraged and sought. The work environment is collegial. The change(s) I would incorporate are to find more ways to get the public's voice to play an active role with future projects. If we could find ways to attract more citizens to attend these events, citizens may be more invested in voting and participating in community events.

Morrison Institute - State of Our State

Greetings!

Next Friday, the Morrison Institute will be hosting their annual 'State of Our State' conference at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. This year's theme is criminal justice, with a closer look at state spending on corrections, criminal sentencing policy, bipartisan reform strategies, and the role of private prisons.
I couldn't be more excited. The keynote address will be given by the former police chief of Mesa, who is now a district attorney in San Francisco, George Gascon. Other speakers include Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, U.S. Marshal David Gonzales, AZ State Senator John Kavanagh, national representatives from the ACLU and Right on Crime.

This is a half day event, with registration beginning at 7:30, and the actual event from 8 am - 1pm. The goals of the conference are to create solution-oriented dialogue and bring both the left and right together.

Arizona is generally under attack (from other states) when it comes to its sentencing policy, which tends to lean towards the conservative side. This is one of 31 states which continues to uphold capital (death penalty) punishment. I am interested to hear Mr. Gascon's remarks on criminal justice reform, considering the vast majority of those who end up incarcerated tend to represent a certain demographic. This conference will showcase where Arizona is heading with respect to sentencing policies and how funding affects those behind bars.

If you are interested in criminal justice reform, please take a look at the link below:

https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/news/state-our-state-conference-0

Thank you~

Morrison Institute's connection with Urban Governance

Good Afternoon,

Urban Governance - as employees or students of public service, we are bound to hear this term at least a few times, if not as a recurring theme ...At first, I was eluded (by this question) in terms of how it was relevant to a think tank - particularly the Morrison Institute. Soon I realized, think tanks are vital organizations for incorporating representativeness, participation, citizen duties and rights, fairness, accountability, and legitimacy (http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/governance-define.html).
As a publicly funded policy based think tank, the Morrison Institute seeks to address the most pressing needs of the state. This means citizen representativeness is at the heart what is being advocated. In other words, many of the projects center around citizen engagement, voter participation, i.e. how to get potential voters more involved, and ensuring more fair and representative policies and laws are legislated.

My supervisor is very involved with municipal issues and governance, particularly issues associated with disability, citizens rights and engagement and homelessness. In a previous post which discussed the Citizen's Initiative Review - the Morrison Institute wanted to address how to incorporate more people to participate in everyday society (citizen engagement). Moreover, this particular study, as well as the more recent study which looked at Arizona's Independent Voters examined what propels individuals to vote for particular candidates.  Many of the themes centering around urban governance are directly linked with the consumer survey that I have been helping to disseminate. This survey is looking to address whether citizens feel like they are being treated with fairness, if there is accountability within Phoenix City Services and whether service delivery needs to be improved. Hopefully, this survey will lead to improvements within city services (police, fire, mental health agencies) and individuals with mental health issues.

Transparency can often be a problem for governments, at any level. Technically, information and data are within the reach of all citizens, however to obtain this information is not always an easy task. As Erica McFadden mentioned when you are trying to gather information from city officials, whether that be about a particular decision that was cast, or the official # of people killed during a flash flood, it can sometimes take several days. Anyways, local governance is an ever-evolving field and one in which the Morrison Institute has been contributing with various projects and will continue to do so in the future.

The Status of Women in Arizona

Hello again!

My duties at the Morrison Institute vary in nature and I try to look for new learning opportunities whenever possible. This past week I was able to tap into in area which I have not visited since high school ...the art of the interview, okay I may be exaggerating a tad however I did interview someone.

The Morrison Institute has a number of policy analysts that work in different fields. Social Justice, particularly issues regarding incarceration and homelessness are part of William Hart's (senior policy analyst) research areas. You may be asking why am I discussing someone other than my supervisor? Well, William is conducting an annual study, 'Status of Women in Arizona' on behalf of the Arizona Foundation for Women. Women across the state, from all walks of life and varied demographics have been invited to take part and provide their insights about the current state of life in Arizona.

My role in all this very small, nevertheless I still wanted to share how I contributed. I think this project is an important indicator of the progress the state has made and can also show where we may be lagging. The woman I interviewed is a regular attendant and volunteer at Lodestar Day Resource Center, and has been in a state of permanent homelessness for several years. The interview was very brief and consisted of 3 questions:
1. Imagine that you have a good friend whose adult daughter is considering moving to AZ, The daughter asks you for a brief account of the pros and cons for women living in our state. What would you tell her?
"In terms of the pros, Arizona has very good schools and is a good place to raise children, however the weather is not always the best. It is very hot."

2. What do you think are the major challenges specifically facing women in AZ today?
"There are no major barriers; it is very open minded society, with a great workforce."

3. What one change or development do you think would benefit AZ women today?
"Women's healthcare. Arizona needs better healthcare, not just for women but across the board."

I was not sure what to expect in terms of responses, however Renda, the woman I interviewed definitely surprised me. I look forward to the report findings and reading where Arizona lies across the nation with respect to women's experiences.

Arizona's Independent Voter

Greetings!

Hope everyone was able to partake in some Halloween festivities during the previous weekend. The ingenious creativity behind some of the costumes is always fun to witness. I considered going out, but due to pending assignments missed out. Oh well, next year. As the semester winds to an end, everything seems to be approaching simultaneously. Is this what graduate school entails?

Recently, the Morrison Institute funded a small-scale study examining Arizona's Independent Voters. The study revealed that the majority of Independent voters are white, male (52%), and college-educated (either completing an undergraduate degree or a Master's Degree +).  This data represents a small sample size, however it is intended to be representative of the total state population. As of 2014, this voter bloc (independent voters) has surpassed both registered Republicans and Democrats in overall numbers, totaling almost 35% of all voters. Nevertheless, while these individuals make up the largest proportion of voters; they tend to be the least likely to vote in party primaries.  As a consequence, their candidate of choice rarely appears on the ballot. This lack of voter turnout has much to do with feelings of discontent and frustration that independent voters undergo when casting a vote. Independent voters rarely fall under one particular political leaning - rather they are all over the map, ultra-conservative to the most liberal.

Each state has their own set of rules and regulations regarding primary elections, i.e. who may cast a vote. In Arizona, independent voters have the option of participating in either Republican or Democratic primaries. The primaries are critical for determining who ends up on the ballot (as previously mentioned), however an 11% voter turnout elucidates the lack of representative candidates to serve these potential voters. One thing to note is while independent voters are better informed than most when it comes to policies and ballot initiatives, many are unaware that they can participate in the primaries.

Independents are the most disenfranchised voters when it comes to the polls, and this holds true for all independents across the nation. When asked what would incentivize people to cast his/her vote, individuals stated having a viable third party choice. The traditional two party system does not favor these voters. When referring to previous elections, 1992 and 2004 kept recurring - due to the additional candidates on the ballot. Ross Perot's 1992 campaign showcased the growth in Independent voters, or rather how unsatisfied 19M + people were.

Interest groups vouching for the needs of Arizona Independents have been repeatedly pressing for a third party option. This would entice more voters to cast their ballot and hopefully act as a voice amongst Independents. The question remains how would the government implement such a change? Looking across the nation, the general trend indicates that growing numbers of individuals (approximately 43% according to a recent US Gallup Poll) are identifying as 'Independent.' Are these numbers an indication that the two party system is no longer appopropriate? I can only speculate, however if a majority of voters are disenfranchised - reforms may be needed.

This upcoming election should provide a deeper examination of how Independents feel with the two party system. Let's wait and see.

Leadership @ MIPP

Leadership is one of the fundamental skills we associate with public administrators and those working in government. Public Policy which often overlaps with administration also requires a certain degree of leadership attributes. In my internship position, I usually analyze data (code), research and disseminate surveys. I have attended meetings for the Mayor's Commission on Disability Initiatives, however when I think of the leadership roles I have carried out, one that comes to mind is administering consumer surveys at mental health agencies for vulnerable populations. Here, I gave brief speeches explaining what the survey concerned and how we intend to use the information. Moreover, as there were several individuals taking the survey, we had a few volunteers help disseminate the survey. In my role, I explained who was eligible, how the survey questions should be asked and answered any other concerns regarding city services (police, fire and mental health agencies) and their relationships to individuals with mental health issues.

I have noticed that being proactive serves one well, whether one is interning as policy analyst or it is their first part time position. This indicates one is motivated to succeed and wants to help their organization. My supervisor emphasizes the importance of activism towards leadership, and
joining committees to not only show your dedication to specific causes, but eventually taking on leadership roles. Often times, these committees are volunteer based, however when working in the area of policy, we need to understand current trends and developments. Public perspectives are always necessary and having a direct connection is the one of the strongest ways we can gauge where trends are heading. By acting as leaders in their communities, whether that be academic or another area of interest, when one's peers identify him/her as having leadership capacity, that is the ultimate seal of approval.