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 Tripp Laino at 202-999-4273.
For FAMM’s work at the state level, contact TJohn Norton at 202-999-4268.
If you have a general question for FAMM and are not a member of the media, contact Debi Campbell at 202-621-5041.
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.
Contact: 202-822-6700 Families Against Mandatory Minimums is excited to welcome Mike Riggs as the foundation’s new director of communications. Mike joins FAMM from The Atlantic Cities, where he was a staff writer covering criminal justice policy. “We’re thrilled to add Mike to our team,” said FAMM President Julie Stewart. “He’s passionate about our work and … Read More
Read MoreContact: 202-822-6700 This morning, FAMM president, Julie Stewart, will testify at the U.S. Sentencing Commission in support of the Commission’s proposal to lower federal drug sentences by an average of 11 months. Stewart points out that: FAMM strongly supports this amendment but it is a modest correction, not a major change in policy – people … Read More
Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: 202-822-6700 Today, FAMM applauds the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s passage of the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act (S. 1675). The bipartisan bill, a compromise negotiated by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), is anticipated to help alleviate overcrowding in federal prisons – now at 138 percent of their … Read More
Read MoreWashington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed the first major reconsideration of federal mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws since the Nixon Administration. The Committee voted, 13-5, in support of S. 1410, the Smarter Sentencing Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL). The Smarter Sentencing Act: … Read More
Read MoreWashington, DC – Today, U.S. Department of Justice Deputy Attorney General James Cole, in prepared remarks to the New York State Bar Association, asked lawyers and prison officials to assist federal prisoners serving lengthy sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses with requesting commutations (sentence reductions) from President Barack Obama. In particular, Cole emphasized the administration’s … Read More
Read MoreIt’s unanimous: U.S. Supreme Court overturns federal conviction and the 20-year mandatory minimum that went with it. Federal law calls for harsh mandatory minimum sentences for distributing drugs. These five- and ten-year sentences are imposed when a person is convicted of selling specific drug quantities. In some case, federal law requires courts to dramatically enhance … Read More
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