Obama’s criminal justice reform report: More police, higher minimum wage

The Obama administration, citing a cost-benefit analysis, thinks it can drive a 16 percent reduction in crime by spending $10 billion to increase police forces nationwide.

A new report from the Council of Economic Advisers offers criminal justice reforms that center on the economic gains to be had from reducing the prison population, increasing the number of police, and improving policing tactics, among other initiatives.

More money for policing, less money for imprisoning, is the main thrust.

“The Administration is committed to a holistic approach to criminal justice reform that creates a fairer and smarter system in the community, the cell block and the courtroom,” the report said.

The rise of mass incarceration has put a squeeze on state budgets and made the country poorer.