Press Release

For Media Inquiries:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM praises D.C. Council’s passage of Second Look Amendment Act

WASHINGTON – FAMM president Kevin Ring praised the D.C. Council for passing the Second Look Amendment Act by a veto-proof majority. This act aligns with growing body of research that shows recidivism rates decline with age.

“The District has set a model for other states to follow,” Ring said. “People change and our laws need to reflect that. This new law will not let everyone out of prison, but it will stop us from throwing everyone away. “No one is safer when people who pose no risk to the public remain in prison. In order to reduce unnecessary incarceration, reunite families, and give people second chances, we have to revisit extreme sentences.”

D.C.’s Second Look Amendment Act would allow people who committed an offense before their 25th birthday the opportunity to petition the court for re-sentencing after serving 15 years. This expands D.C.’s existing mechanism to review and remedy excessive sentences and will give those who were sentenced as young adults a shot at a second chance.

FAMM is amidst its “Second Chances Agenda“ campaign aimed at urging state and federal policymakers to increase their use of compassionate release and clemency, and to encourage the introduction of more second look legislation. FAMM has also launched similar campaigns in Arizona, Florida and Pennsylvania.

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 at the state and federal level 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.