Five Things: DeSantis Attacks First Step, MO Drug Reforms & More
Here are five things you should know about justice reform this week:
"Americans want stronger economies and safer communities. The First Step Act delivers both those priorities."
Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that if he is elected president, he would seek the repeal of the First Step Act—a major criminal justice reform bill signed into law by former President Donald Trump in 2018—even though he voted for a version of the bill while he was a member of Congress. The criticism of DeSantis’ remarks was swift and strong over the weekend, but no reporters went quite so deep as Reason's CJ Ciaramella, who highlighted both the bill's positive impact and how badly DeSantis misrepresented its provisions. Doug Collins, the former Republican Congressman from Georgia who co-sponsored the First Step Act, also authored an op-ed this week correcting the record.
"Missouri was home to one of the worst crack-powder sentencing disparities in the nation, and today is an enormous step toward righting that historical wrong."
The Missouri legislature delivered a bill to Governor Parson’s desk this week that eliminates the harsh and unfair sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses. If the governor signs the bill, only seven states and the federal government will still impose a harsher penalty for drug offenses involving crack cocaine compared to powder cocaine. The vast majority of states that had a disparity in crack and powder cocaine penalties have repealed them. Missouri’s bill passage comes as Congress struggles to regain momentum on eliminating the disparity at the federal level.
"…to finally see a bill be passed to help young people thrive is a major step."
Juvenile court fees that have often put the most vulnerable minors and their families in an impossible financial hole were eliminated in the state of Arizona. This week, Governor Hobbs signed a bipartisan bill into law that eliminates fees assessed by juvenile courts for court-appointed attorneys, probation, detention and diversion programs that could often total in the thousands of dollars. Advocates say it's just the beginning of what the state can do to open opportunities for disadvantaged youth.
"I now have three kids who have to go to school in bad neighborhoods because no one will rent to us in nice neighborhoods."
A recent report from the Alliance for Safety and Justice is shedding light on the barriers to economic mobility those with criminal records face. Drawing on interviews with over 550 people who had been arrested, convicted, or incarcerated, the report includes gut-wrenching stories of economic instability, the impact a person’s record has had on their family members, and overwhelming personal and professional setbacks for even those convicted of low-level crimes. For instance: 51% of people whose most serious charge was a misdemeanor still struggle to pay bills.
"If you can track your Amazon package […] I should be able to track my rape kit."
In Louisiana, victims of sexual assault are eligible to receive just a fraction of the amount ordinarily available to cover medical expenses of other victims: just $1,000, compared to $15,000 available to victims of other crimes. This year, the legislature is considering a bill that would correct that disparity- and create a tracking system for rape kits, which too often go untested. The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting a floor vote in the House.