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.
I have great news to share with you. Today, U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013, H.R. 1695, in the U.S. House of Representatives. In March, U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced an identical version of the Justice Safety Valve Act, … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, DC — FAMM President Julie Stewart commended U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) after he called for eliminating federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Senator Paul’s comments came during a speech he made to students at Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, DC. Last month, Senator Paul and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 100 celebrities, faith and business leaders, lawmakers, athletes and civil rights advocates signed a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to improve national criminal justice policies by focusing more on intervention and rehabilitation. The coalition, brought together by hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons and Dr. Boyce Watkins, offers the president … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – Testifying this morning before the U.S. House subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Prisons (BOP), FAMM President Julie Stewart urged Congress to enact a broad sentencing “safety valve” in order to cut wasteful spending and reduce prison overcrowding. Yesterday, Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM President Julie Stewart today hailed the introduction of The Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013 (S. 619), a bipartisan federal bill that would save taxpayer dollars by reserving scarce federal prison beds for the most dangerous offenders. The bill creates a “safety valve” that allows federal courts to impose sentences below … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM President Julie Stewart today marked the 10th anniversary of Michigan’s decision to throw out the state’s drug mandatory minimum sentencing laws by noting that Michigan residents are safer now and are spending less to incarcerate nonviolent drug offenders. “Michigan’s experience is a powerful lesson for other states considering sentencing reform. Twenty years … Read More
Read More