Department of Justice

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

FAMM submits comment on proposed changes to the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program

WASHINGTON – FAMM submitted a comment today to the Department of Justice on the proposed changes to the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program. Under the proposed rule, 75% of money sent to incarcerated people by family or community members would be automatically allocated toward court-ordered payments.

“The Justice Department is right that this program needs to be fixed,” said Kevin Ring, FAMM’s President. “Unfortunately, the proposed rule would punish thousands of struggling families because of the sins of an infamous few. Most people in prison have very little money and they use it for necessities, like food and hygiene products, and to stay in touch with their families.”

Roughly 20 people incarcerated in the Bureau of Prisons have more than $100,000 in their accounts – .01% of the total prison population.

For more than 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 has led the fight to reform extreme mandatory sentencing laws and to promote rehabilitation and dignity for all people in prison, 94 percent of whom 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 safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.