ADVOCACY INSIDER
For decades, Prison Fellowship’s advocacy team has been active at the state and federal levels. Through 11 current state campaigns, we are working to make sentences more proportional, prison culture more constructive, and second chances more widely available. We also advocate for changes to the federal correctional system—changes that can improve outcomes for more than 180,000 men and women.Prison Fellowship is at the forefront of pushing for federal prison reform, and we’re overjoyed that so many of you (more than 1,000 advocates) have partnered with us by contacting your U.S. Representative in support of the Prison Reform and Redemption Act this past month. Thanks to your support, the bill’s sponsors were able to negotiate some positive changes to the bill. And, on Monday, the amended legislation was reintroduced as the FIRST STEP Act, an encouraging sign of the beginning of the bipartisan efforts to advance justice reform.
The demand for rehabilitative programming in the federal prison system far exceeds capacity. For example, the Bureau of Prisons recently reported that approximately 16,000 people are on a waitlist for basic literacy programming. This means incarcerated men and women are not getting sufficient reentry preparation, and as a result, community safety is in jeopardy.
The federal prison system offers far fewer opportunities for prisoners to transition to community corrections before the end of their sentence compared to most state prisons, as shown here.
In part, this is because federal prisoners have little opportunity to earn time credit for good behavior or through program participation. Currently, it is only through the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program that participants can earn a year off of their sentence.
The FIRST STEP Act (formerly known as the Prison Reform and Redemption Act), if enacted into law, seeks to address these challenges by:
Expanding Prison Programs and Earned- and Good-Time Credit
The Bureau of Prisons would be required to increase and improve prison programming and productive activities, such as education, drug rehabilitation, skills training, and faith-based classes, in partnership with nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Earned-time credit opportunities would be expanded to include any programs proven to reduce recidivism. The bill also clarifies how credits for good behavior are calculated, providing relief for every federal prisoner.
Providing Incentives for Program Completion
Increased phone and visitation privileges would be available for all prisoners who complete risk-reducing programs. Eligible prisoners could earn additional time toward serving the final days of their sentences in halfway houses or home confinement, providing for a smoother and safer transition back into their communities. Over time, this would also help alleviate overcrowding in federal prisons.
This is a historic opportunity. If enough people act, we can change outcomes for hundreds of thousands of people in the federal prison system—as well as their families, their communities, and our nation. It will take a lot of hard work to get this bill to the president’s desk:
First, the House Judiciary Committee must vote on the bill. This committee vote was delayed last week, and we expressed our disappointment here. The Judiciary Committee will vote on the legislation today.
Then the bill will need to be approved by the full House of Representatives before it is sent to the Senate.
When the bill arrives at the Senate, the members will need to approve the bill. If the Senate has changes to the bill, it may require another vote of approval by the full House or a Conference Committee to negotiate the differences.
Then finally, if the bill clears all these hurdles, it will be sent to the president, whose signature would make it a law.
At every stage of this long and complicated process, your voice makes a difference.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
If you haven’t already, contact your representative today by simply providing your name and address here. We’ll send your elected official a message declaring your support for prison reform that will give men and women access to the transformative programming they need, so we can lay the groundwork for changed lives and safer communities.
We look forward to staying in touch with you and keeping you informed of the bill’s movement. Thank you for walking alongside us and recognizing the dignity and potential of each person.
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