Two weeks ago, we gave you the good news that two judges of a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (FSA) is retroactive. People sentenced to the old crack cocaine mandatory minimums before August 3, 2010, in the states the Sixth Circuit covers, could … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 17, FAMM President Julie Stewart strongly urged the U.S. Department of Justice to let stand today’s decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in which a majority ruled that the Fair Sentencing Act should be applied retroactively. The case is US v. Blewett, No. 12-5226 (6th Cir. May 17, 2013). … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM President Julie Stewart expressed hope and frustration following Attorney General Eric Holder’s appearance at the House Judiciary Committee hearing on May 15. Said Stewart: “Attorney General Holder’s comments at the Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday and in a recent speech sounded like a page from FAMM talking points playbook. They give me … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — Our unwavering effort to put compassion back in the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) compassionate release program is gaining steam. Last November, we worked with Human Rights Watch (HRW) to expose the failure of the BOP to administer the compassionate release program as Congress intended. Our investigative report, The Answer is No: Too Little … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM President Julie Stewart today applauded the creation of an Overcriminalization Working Group by the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Overcriminalization Working Group was created by Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) and comprises five Republicans and five Democrats. The Working Group will address overcriminalization in … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — Inspector General Report Details Dramatic Mismanagement in Federal Prison Compassionate Release Program; Findings Confirm Human Rights Watch-FAMM Criticisms of BOP Program. After conducting a comprehensive review of the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) compassionate release program, the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has concluded that the BOP “does not properly manage” … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, the Obama administration’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released a new plan to combat illegal drug use in America. The ONDCP described its proposal as a “science-driven plan” based on “evidence-based reforms that treat our Nation’s drug problem as a public health issue, not just a criminal justice … Read More
Read MoreI 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
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