News & Media

Since forming in 1991, FAMM has developed a team of attorneys, advocates and researchers with extensive expertise in crafting and advancing state and federal legislative reforms; working with the U.S. Sentencing Commission; improving the executive clemency process; and navigating the complex traits of federal sentencing policy. We’ve also put together a large collection of deeply researched case profiles highlighting FAMM members who have been subjected to onerous prison sentences. FAMM staffers are available to answer questions regarding the politics and policy of sentencing reform, and our research team is available to walk journalists through prisoners’ cases.

Have a question, or need to reach out to one of FAMM’s expert staff members? Our media relations team is happy to help!

For FAMM’s work at the federal level, contact Rabiah A. Burks at 202-999-4258.

For FAMM’s work at the state level, contact Tripp Laino at 202-999-4273.

If you have a general question for FAMM and are not a member of the media, contact Debi Campbell at 202-621-5041.

New to the Issues?

We encourage journalists who have never covered sentencing before—and any veterans looking to brush up—to check out our Sentencing 101 page. If you’d like to write about someone who’s serving an unjust sentence, you can check out our profiles page. To see what FAMM is doing to change sentencing policy at the state and federal levels, you can find our work here. To learn about current sentencing reform legislation in Congress, visit our U.S. Congress page.

Ready to become an expert in federal sentencing? Visit our briefing book on mandatory minimum sentences for congressional staff.

In addition to work for reform at the federal level, FAMM is currently working in the following four states. Click the state to learn about FAMM’s efforts there.

Recent Press Releases:

FAMM Congratulates Rabiah Burks, Vice President of Communications on new role at NLADA

Friday, January 21, 2022

For Media Inquiries: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org FAMM Congratulates Rabiah Burks, Vice President of Communications on new role at NLADA WASHINGTON – FAMM today announced that Rabiah Alicia Burks will be leaving FAMM on February 7, to become the new Vice President of Communications and Team Building at the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. “Rabiah is … Read More

FAMM’S Pennsylvania State Director Maria Goellner to testify at House Democratic Policy Committee hearing

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

For Media Inquiries: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org FAMM’S Pennsylvania State Director Maria Goellner to testify at House Democratic Policy Committee hearing HARRISBURG – FAMM’s Pennsylvania State Director Maria Goellner will testify at the House of Representatives Democratic Policy Committee hearing on Thursday, “Judging Justice – The Mechanics of Criminal Sentencing.” The hearing can be live … Read More

FAMM releases statement following new rule from BOP implementing Earned Time Credit

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Media Contact: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org FAMM releases statement following new rule from BOP implementing Earned Time Credit WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement in response to the Bureau of Prisons’ release of a new rule implementing the Earned Time Credit provisions of the First Step Act of 2018: “Attorney General Garland and … Read More

FAMM urges AG Garland, BOP to release medically vulnerable people in prison during Omicron surge

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Contact: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org FAMM urges AG Garland, BOP to release medically vulnerable people in prison during Omicron surge WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to instruct the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to act now to protect medically vulnerable incarcerated people. “In light of the … Read More

FAMM issues statement following OLC memo stating people on CARES Act home confinement won’t have to return to prison en masse

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Media Contact: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org FAMM issues statement following OLC memo stating people on CARES Act home confinement won’t have to return to prison en masse WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring issued the following statement following a new memo from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel that will no longer require people serving on CARES … Read More

FAMM calls for investigation of DA’s office in Rogel Aguilera-Mederos case

Monday, December 20, 2021

Media contact: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org FAMM calls for investigation of DA’s office in Rogel Aguilera-Mederos case DENVER – FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement calling for an investigation into the office of District Attorney Alexis King, which prosecuted Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, by a neutral committee of the Colorado Bar Association. The lead prosecutor who … Read More