Policy Resource Library
Below you'll find white papers, articles, explainers, and more that dive deeper into our work on criminal justice reform.
Second Chances
The Second Chance Resource Library: The Second Chances Resource Library contains resources related to expanding release opportunities for people in prison who are serving long sentences or have other circumstances warranting release.
Second Chance Successes in 2023 (December 2023): A list of second chances laws enacted in 2023 and discussion of the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s amendments to the policy statement governing federal compassionate release.
The Older You Get: Why Incarcerating the Elderly Makes us Less Safe (October 2021): A fact sheet on the relationship between age and recidivism.
Time for Justice: The Urgent Need for Second Chances in Pennsylvania’s Sentencing System (November 2021): A report on the state of extreme sentences in Pennsylvania and recommendations to improve sentencing policy in Pennsylvania.
A Second Chances Starts with a Second Look: The Case for Reconsideration of Lengthy Prison Sentences (2019): A brief white paper on the need for second look sentencing reform at the federal level.
The Harms of Extreme Sentences and the Need for Second Look Laws (October 2021): A fact sheet detailing FAMM’s principles for second look legislation.
Second Look Sentencing Explained: What it is, why we need it, and how it works (2019): An infographic detailing how second look laws work.
Second Look: Who Should Decide? Determining the Best Decision-maker (November 2023): This document looks at factors to be considered when evaluating and choosing a second look decision-maker (court, parole board, etc.) in a particular jurisdiction.
Second Chances Legislative Tracker (Updated Regularly): A document that tracks second chance legislation across the country including second look, compassionate release, and parole related legislation.
Compassionate Release
Compassionate Release and the First Step Act: Then and Now (n.d.a): A fact sheet on the changes enacted to federal compassionate release under the First Step Act.
Extraordinary and Compelling: The U.S. Sentencing Commission Should Preserve Second Chances (2022): This brief explains how the First Step Act’s compassionate release reform allowed hundreds of people serving extreme sentences to be granted early release and profiles six of them.
Letter to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco re: FCI Dublin (May 2022): A letter to DAG Monaco urging the DOJ to file motion for a reduction of sentence for survivors of sexual violence at FCI Dublin.
Prison sexual assault victims can now petition for compassionate release (June 2023): An article on approved United States Sentencing Guideline amendments to allow compassionate release for survivors of sexual violence in federal prisons.
Explainer: Federal Compassionate Release
Compassionate Release in the States
Everywhere and Nowhere: Compassionate Release in the States (June 2018): A review of the compassionate release mechanisms in the states including best practices, common pitfalls, and the need for reform.
Grading the States: The State Compassionate Release Report Card Project (October 2022): A report highlighting FAMM’s project to grade the compassionate release
FAMM state compassionate release report cards (2022): Collection of report cards for each state and the District of Columbia’s compassionate release systems.
Compassionate Release Toolkit: Crafting Compassionate Release Programs That Work (October 2022): A tool kit that provides information on best practices for process, guideposts, and components of ideal compassionate release mechanisms.
FAMM Compassionate Release Program Memos (n.d.a): Memos detailing the compassionate release program or programs in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
Compassionate Release State by State (April 2022): A chart summarizing and comparing the compassionate release programs in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
FAMM's Poll on Compassionate Release (October 2022): A poll conducted on behalf of FAMM that shows 70% of Americans support compassionate release programs.
Sentencing Reform
Mandatory Minimums
The Case Against Mandatory Minimums (April 2021): A fact sheet detailing the case against mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
Briefing Paper: Mandatory Minimums (January 2024): A briefing paper on the evidence against mandatory minimums.
Additional Sentencing Reform Resources
"Truth in Sentencing": Paying More Money to Make Our Communities Less Safe (April 2024): A fact sheet detailing the case against truth in sentencing laws.
The First Step Act
First Step at 5: The Success and Safety of the First Step Act After Five Years in Effect
U.S. Sentencing Commission
Fact Sheet: United States Sentencing Commission (May 2022): A fact sheet on explaining the United States Sentencing Commission and the federal sentencing guidelines.
FAMM 2024 Comments to the Sentencing Commission (February 2024): FAMM’s comments to the United States Sentencing Commission on the 2024 amendment cycle which includes acquitted conduct and juvenile criminal history points.
FAMM 2023 comments to the sentencing commission (March 2023): FAMM’s comments to the United States Sentencing Commission on the 2023 amendment cycle which includes amendments to compassionate release and criminal history.
Prison Reform and Oversight
Safer Prisons, Safer Communities (March 2024): A statement of principles for the Safer Prisons, Safer Communities Project - a joint effort between FAMM and One Voice United to address the understaffing crisis in corrections.
Improving Transparency and Accountability in Prisons Through Independent Oversight (January 2024): An explanation of what prison oversight is; how it benefits people who are incarcerated, correctional staff, communities, and lawmakers; and examples of existing prison oversight models.
The Need for Prison Oversight (February 2020): A list of principles for independent prison oversight agencies.
Model Independent Prison Oversight Legislation (October 2024): Model independent prison oversight legislation and a summary of the model bill.
FAMM polling on Prison Oversight (August 2022): Polling conducted on behalf of FAMM that shows 82% of Americans believe that the states and federal government should have a system of independent prison oversight for their prisons.
FAMM Virtual Policy Briefing: Independent Oversight (September 2024): A virtual panel event featuring experts in the field of oversight as well as state advocates on the purpose and need for independent prison oversight.
Analogous Systems Of Oversight (October 2024): A summary of systems of oversight in areas outside of prisons, including protection and advocacy organizations, long-term care ombudspeople, and more.