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

FAMM Applauds Missouri House Passage of Criminal Justice Reform Bills

 

Jefferson City, MO –FAMM Vice President of Policy Molly Gill issued the following statement applauding the Missouri House of Representatives for passing a sentencing reform bill, HB 113, introduced by Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage):

“We applaud the House for setting Missouri up to be the next state to pass common sense sentencing reform. Taxpayers are safer and don’t have to pay for new prisons when long prison stays are reserved for the most dangerous offenders. This bill is the same kind of reform President Trump signed into law when Congress passed the First Step Act in December. The Missouri Senate should pass the bill quickly and get it to the governor’s desk.”

HB 113 passed by a vote of 140-17 and will, if enacted, allow judges to impose sentences other than the mandatory minimum prison term in some cases. The bill now advances to the Missouri Senate for consideration. FAMM submitted testimony in support of HB 113 when it was under review by House committees.

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.

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