Contact:
Rabiah Burks, 202-822-6700
rburks@famm.org

FAMM and 13 National Organizations Urge Congress to Fund the First Step Act

Congress has not yet allocated $75M to the Bureau of Prisons to implement the legislation as authorized

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, FAMM along with 13 national organizations, sent a letter to the chair and ranking members of the Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies urging them to appropriate the $75M authorized to the Bureau of Prisons for the implementation of the First Step Act.

“The funding is critical to ensuring that everyone has access to rehabilitative programming,” said Kevin Ring, president of FAMM. “If Congress really cares about public safety and transforming our prisons, it must fully fund the First Step Act.”

The joint letter was signed by the American Civil Liberties Union, American Conservative Union, Americans for Prosperity, Drug Policy Alliance, Due Process Institute, Faith and Freedom Coalition, FAMM, FreedomWorks, Justice Action Network, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Prison Fellowship, R Street Institute, and The Sentencing Project.

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies in 6 states and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.