Press Release

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

FAMM releases statement following Virginia Crime Commission’s vote to recommend the elimination of mandatory minimums

RICHMOND – FAMM Deputy Director of Policy Tinsae Gebriel released the following statement following the Virginia Crime Commission’s vote to recommend the elimination of mandatory minimums.

“These findings echo what we’ve known for some time now — mandatory minimums do nothing to make our communities safer,” Gebriel said. “More importantly, they tie judge’s hands, preventing them from considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances about the crime and its impact on the community, or the person’s prior record, role, motive, age, or need for mental health or drug treatment. This one-size-fits-all sentencing scheme costs taxpayers a fortune and contributes to racial disparities in sentencing.

“We are hopeful that the Commonwealth’s legislature will also see the need for change when they convene next week. The time is right to address them.”

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.