In celebrating the sixth anniversary of that #law, the #FirstStepAct, in December, #Durbin noted that less than 10% of the 40k prisoners released under the law, many of them drug offenders, had been rearrested or jailed, far less than the typical #recidivism rate.

#legislation #LegislativeBranch #democracy #USpol

The Law of Second Chances

What it means when a judge takes forgiveness and redemption seriously in an unforgiving system of retributive punishment.

> First Step Act appropriately provides a path to allow a worthy prisoner a second chance to live a law-abiding life.”

> Shepherded through the Senate by Democrats Richard Durbin of Illinois and Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Republicans Charles Grassley of Iowa and Mike Lee of Utah, the First Step Act allowed inmates to appeal directly to judges for early compassionate release under “extraordinary and compelling circumstances.”

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/the-law-of-second-chances/

#truthdig #firststepact

#Data on #Sentencing Reform Shows the #FirstStepAct Worked

https://brennancenter.substack.com/p/data-on-sentencing-reform-shows-the

Reminder that the reason #RonDesantis is against ghe #FirstStepAct is because Florida has #PrivatizedPrisons and the #Prison industry pays Florida politicians a huge amount of money to increase prison sentences for non-violent offenders, because that's more money for less cost.

The #FSA was literally the only bipartisan bill #Trump signed into law, and was intended to speed sentences for nonviolent inmates while gathering data for further #JusticeReform / #PrisonReform.

#Desantis is a liar.

«In an appearance with the #conservative commentator #BenShapiro, #DeSantis accused #Trump, the #GOP front-runner, of “moving left” on #CriminalJustice and #immigration issues after winning over the party’s base in 2015 and 2016. He pledged that he would repeal what is known as the #FirstStepAct, a #bipartisan criminal justice measure signed into law by Mr. Trump in 2018.»

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/desantis-eyes-repeal-trumps-only-bipartisan-accomplishment-rcna87117

From @cjciaramella at @reasonmagazine

#RonDeSantis says the #FIRSTSTEPAct is a “jailbreak” and that he would repeal the bill if elected.

https://reason.com/2023/05/30/desantis-says-he-would-seek-repeal-of-first-step-act-if-elected-president/
#law #criminaljustice #cjreform #criminaljusticereform #police #prisons

I get it, our current reality is depressing & we want good news. The #FirstStepAct is not that good news when you look at it closely.

“The limitations of the #FirstStepAct are obvious on even a cursory glance. ” https://buff.ly/2BxzDdC

I should retweet something positive in this realm. Still amazed that it is somehow a thing. Bravo.
---
RT @PattyMurray@twitter.com
This is an important first step toward improving the criminal justice system in our country—and I am glad we are taking it. #FirstStepAct
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/senate-criminal-justice-bill.html
https://twitter.com/PattyMurray/status/1075451698787860480

I feel the #FirstStepAct is like the #truthact, #trustact, & #cavaluesact in that it's sold as a remedy that doesn't really address the core problem.

“The #FirstStepAct does not represent real reform. It carves out those most vulnerable to the revolving door impacts of mass imprisonment, and manages to create more bureaucracy” https://buff.ly/2TmqCwc #npic #legal