Right on Crime chosen as finalist for Atlas Templeton Freedom Award

Austin, TX-The Atlas Network announced today that Right on Crime, a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, has been chosen as a finalist for their 2013 Templeton Freedom Award. The prestigious award is given to think tanks around the world that have made an impact in public policy, contributed to the field of free-enterprise education and policy research, and laid the groundwork for further progress in securing economic freedom.

"We are thrilled to be nominated for the Templeton Freedom Award," said Brooke Rollins, President and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. "In just a few short years, Right on Crime has completely changed the national conversation on criminal-justice reform, refocusing state policies toward conservative principles of community safety, fiscal responsibility, and recidivism reduction. This is exactly the type of transformative policy innovation that our country needs now more than ever – and it's exactly the kind of work that the Texas Public Policy Foundation has specialized in during the quarter-century since its founding. Ultimately, the work that we do is not just about changing policy, and still less politics, so much as it is about changing lives. The fruits of our work are to be found, not in improved governance as such, but in the everyday lives of the everyday people who are the backbone and the sustenance of this great country. We are honored to be recognized by Atlas for these achievements in becoming a finalist for the Templeton Freedom Award – and the best part is that what we've accomplished so far is just the beginning."

"We launched Right on Crime in 2010 to build on the widely acclaimed reforms in Texas that have reduced crime and costs to taxpayers," said Marc Levin, Director of Right on Crime and Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Center for Effective Justice, "and since that time we have been able to help advance similarly successful policy changes in numerous other states."

"The other finalists for this award are from countries such as Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and India," said Levin. "Just a few months ago, members of the Justice Committee in the British House of Parliament visited Austin to meet with us. It is clear that the world is taking notice of the Right on Crime initiative and the successes we have had in advancing reforms that empower and restore victims, enhance public safety, protect taxpayers, and reform offenders."

The winner of the Templeton Freedom Award will be announced at the Freedom Dinner on November 14^th in New York City. The recipient of the award will be presented with a prize of $100,000.

Brooke Rollins is the President and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Marc Levin is the Director of Right on Crime and the Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Center for Effective Justice.

Right On Crime is a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation in partnership with Justice Fellowship Ministries. The Texas Public Policy Foundation is research institute in Austin, TX committed to limited government, free markets, private property rights, individual liberty and personal responsibility.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Right on Crime spokespersons, please contact Sarah Rumpf at (512) 472-2700 or [email protected].