News & Media - FAMM

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 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.

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:

Update from the U.S. Sentencing Commission

Thursday, January 9, 2014

On January 9, the U.S. Sentencing Commission held a public meeting and voted to publish proposed changes (“amendments”) to the federal sentencing guidelines, which are used in all federal criminal cases. One of the proposed amendments would reduce the sentencing guidelines for federal drug trafficking offenses by two base offense levels, for all types of … Read More

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FAMM Welcomes New Grants of Commutations and Pardons, Urges Broader Reform

Thursday, December 19, 2013

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –FAMM founder and president Julie Stewart today welcomed the announcement that President Barack Obama has granted commutations (sentence reductions) to eight people, including FAMM members Stephanie George, Clarence Aaron, Ezell Gilbert, and Reynolds Wintersmith. FAMM has been a vocal advocate for reform of the Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA) and for greater … Read More

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FAMM Statement: Thanksgiving Calls for More than Turkey Pardons from President Obama

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, FAMM founder and president Julie Stewart issued the following statement calling on President Barack Obama to grant more commutations (sentence reductions) to federal prisoners, rather than merely issuing another the annual presidential pardons to Thanksgiving turkeys: “This administration has taken a bold stand against excessive mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders, … Read More

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Urban Institute Report Finds Substantial Cost Savings in Modest Mandatory Sentencing Reforms

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM general counsel, Mary Price, said a new nonpartisan report published today shows that modest mandatory minimum sentencing law reform could save billions of taxpayer dollars, funding which would be better spent on federal programs and personnel that target violent crime. The report, published by the Urban Institute, provides conservative estimates of … Read More

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New Bill Shows Sentencing Reform has Momentum in Congress

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM president Julie Stewart today hailed the introduction of yet another bipartisan sentencing reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Raul Labrador (R-ID) and Bobby Scott (D-VA). The bill, H.R. 3382, the Smarter Sentencing Act, shows that fixing federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws is growing in importance for both … Read More

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