--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To change criminal justice policy in any…" description: "\"To change criminal justice policy in any meaningful way means to propose changing a very longstanding system. It's not realistic to think you can do it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbf/kamala-harris-2523_change_to-change-criminal-justice-policy-in-any_1921589.jpg" --- # To change criminal justice policy in any meaningful way… ![“To change criminal justice policy in any meaningful way means to propose changing a very longstanding system. It's not realistic to think you can do it overnight.” quote by Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbf/kamala-harris-2523_change_to-change-criminal-justice-policy-in-any_1921589.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbf/kamala-harris-2523_change_to-change-criminal-justice-policy-in-any_1921589.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbf/kamala-harris-2523_change_to-change-criminal-justice-policy-in-any_1921589.jpg) > “To change criminal justice policy in any meaningful way means to propose changing a very longstanding system. It's not realistic to think you can do it overnight.” [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criminal justice reform requires deep, systemic change; quick fixes are unrealistic. **In simple terms:** Systemic reform takes time. Key Takeaway Commit to long-term policy change. Themes justice policy systemic change patience Mood serious determined Type political inspirational When to use this quote - law enforcement - community advocacy - political strategy Key Concepts structural reform legislative process Questions to Reflect On - What steps can begin immediate change? - How to balance urgency with realistic timelines? A Different Perspective May underestimate incremental improvements. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Criminal justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-justice/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Generally speaking, the public appetite for criminal justice policy is just tough talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/generally-speaking-the-public-appetite-for-criminal-justice-policy-is/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [We need transformational change of our criminal justice system - not just, you know, a handful of consent decrees or policy reforms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/we-need-transformational-change-of-our-criminal-justice-system-not/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [I propose changing fear for hope. I propose changing Mexico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrique-pena-nieto/i-propose-changing-fear-for-hope-i-propose-changing-mexico/) [Enrique Pena Nieto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrique-pena-nieto/) > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [I was born realizing the flaws in the criminal justice system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/i-was-born-realizing-the-flaws-in-the-criminal-justice-system/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [I did not learn the flaws of the criminal-justice system in law school or college or by reading about it. I grew up knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/i-did-not-learn-the-flaws-of-the-criminal-justice-system-in-law/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Our criminal justice system has swallowed up too many people I love. I am proud to join the ACLU in the fight to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-k-williams/our-criminal-justice-system-has-swallowed-up-too-many-people-i-love-i/) [Michael K. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-k-williams/) > [Like a lot of people, I'm very, very concerned about Senator Clinton's record. I'm very, very concerned about where her positions were in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/like-a-lot-of-people-i-m-very-very-concerned-about-senator-clinton-s/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [Biden's political positions have been evolving for decades, shifting more to the left on critical issues such as criminal justice reform, gay marriage, health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/biden-s-political-positions-have-been-evolving-for-decades-shifting/) [Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/) > [As a prosecutor and a senator, one of my main criminal justice priorities has been enforcing and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-klobuchar/as-a-prosecutor-and-a-senator-one-of-my-main-criminal-justice/) [Amy Klobuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-klobuchar/) > [The people who have been unjustly disenfranchised by our criminal justice system and the people who daily fight for them always have, and always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jenkins/the-people-who-have-been-unjustly-disenfranchised-by-our-criminal/) [Malcolm Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jenkins/) > [America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/america-s-criminal-justice-system-isn-t-known-for-rehabilitation-i-m/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [“But a punishment like forced labour or even imprisonment – mere loss of liberty – has never functioned without a certain additional element of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/but-a-punishment-like-forced-labour-or-even-imprisonment-mere-loss-of/) [Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/) > [We think of justice sometimes as getting what you deserve, you know - what crime was committed and what is the punishment for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/we-think-of-justice-sometimes-as-getting-what-you-deserve-you-know/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) ## More by Kamala Harris > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [I disagree with any policy that would turn America's back on people who are fleeing harm. I frankly believe that it is contrary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/i-disagree-with-any-policy-that-would-turn-america-s-back-on-people/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [There is a lot of work to be done to make sure our leaders reflect the people they are supposed to represent. The more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/there-is-a-lot-of-work-to-be-done-to-make-sure-our-leaders-reflect/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [I believe a child going without an education is tantamount to a crime. So I decided I was going to start prosecuting parents for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/i-believe-a-child-going-without-an-education-is-tantamount-to-a-crime/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-pass-comprehensive-immigration-reform-period/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [California is not just the Golden State. We are also the Internet State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/california-is-not-just-the-golden-state-we-are-also-the-internet-state/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Running for office is similar to being a trial lawyer in a very long trial. It requires adrenaline and stamina; it requires being in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/running-for-office-is-similar-to-being-a-trial-lawyer-in-a-very-long/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [You don't meet one line of division with another line of division. We believe that the vast majority of American people don't agree with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/you-don-t-meet-one-line-of-division-with-another-line-of-division-we/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [My mother had a saying: 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you're not the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/my-mother-had-a-saying-kamala-you-may-be-the-first-to-do-many-things/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [I've fought against transnational gangs. I took on the biggest banks and helped take down one of the biggest for-profit colleges. I know a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/i-ve-fought-against-transnational-gangs-i-took-on-the-biggest-banks/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [My mother was and will always remain my greatest hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/my-mother-was-and-will-always-remain-my-greatest-hero/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [As a former prosecutor, I understand the importance of holding powerful people accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/as-a-former-prosecutor-i-understand-the-importance-of-holding/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [My mother understood the importance of taking care of people, especially when they are exposed to hurt or pain. And I was raised to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/my-mother-understood-the-importance-of-taking-care-of-people/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Let's be clear about this, and let's be clear: we should not be creating incentives to house people in prison. We should be creating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/let-s-be-clear-about-this-and-let-s-be-clear-we-should-not-be/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Homophobia is real in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/homophobia-is-real-in-this-country/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) [Explore all 163 Kamala Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To change criminal justice policy in any meaningful way means to propose changing a very longstanding system. 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