Policy Resource Library

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.

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.

Like they’re waiting for you to die: Development of the inadequate medical care doctrine from district court to united states sentencing commission (2024)

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

Recently, FAMM ran a comprehensive study on each state's use compassionate release. The majority of states flunk. But, we are here to help change that with a toolkit that stakeholders and lawmakers can use to fix failing programs. We hope the report cards spur discussion, concern, and in failed states – outrage and action.

Everywhere and Nowhere: Compassionate Release in the States

Grading the States: The State Compassionate Release Report Card Project

Find our state report cards here.

Read our report on how we arrived at our grading system.

Use our toolkit to help fix failed and underperforming programs.

Find your state’s compassionate release policy here.

Read our summary of state compassionate release programs here.

Read FAMM’s poll showing that 70% of Americans, across political lines, support compassionate release programs here.