Press Release
FAMM Praises the Introduction of the Emergency GRACE Act
For Media Inquiries:
Rabiah Burks, 202-822-6700
rburks@famm.org
FAMM Praises the Introduction of the Emergency GRACE Act
The bill would fast-track compassionate release grants during COVID-19
WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement in response to the introduction of the Emergency Grants of Release And Compassion Effectively Act of 2020 (Emergency GRACE Act) to expedite grants of compassionate release by allowing individuals to make direct petitions to the court. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
“The COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons all over the nation are a matter of life and death — during this emergency, people who are most vulnerable should not have to wait 30 days to get their day in court,” said FAMM President Kevin Ring. “The Federal Bureau of Prisons is flooded with compassionate release requests and not responding to them in less than 30 days. It’s unacceptable to force people seeking relief to wait for the clock to run down during a national pandemic.”
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 six 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.