About the Authors

Lisel Petis
Lisel Petis is a former prosecutor and victim advocate, and a resident senior fellow for Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties at the R Street Institute. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.

Christi Smith
Christi Smith is a former assistant professor and adult probation and parole officer and a resident fellow for Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties at the R Street Institute. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.