FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019

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

New FAMM Fellow attended as guest of the president; speech highlighted the First Step Act.

Washington — FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement in response to President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“We are glad that President Trump highlighted the overwhelming bipartisan support for the First Step Act. Even in this period of extreme partisan division, lawmakers from both parties were able to put politics aside and put people first. They came together to bring overdue justice and relief to thousands of families. At FAMM, we believe that both parties got us into this mess – and that it will take both parties to get us out.

“We are especially grateful that the president and first lady invited Matthew Charles, the first beneficiary of the First Step Act, to be their guest. Matthew Charles is a living, breathing example of the power of second chances. We are excited that Matthew has agreed to accept a fellowship with FAMM so that he can speak up for those families still waiting for justice.”

Thanks in part to seed funding from the Coalition for Public Safety, Matthew Charles became a FAMM Justice Reform Fellow on February 1, 2019. He will spend the next several months advocating criminal justice reform at the state and federal level.

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.