SENATORS DURBIN, LEE, AND COONS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO ELIMINATE PRETRIAL DETENTION FOR NONVIOLENT DRUG OFFENSES & HELP STOP SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN PRISONS 

Justice Action Network Applauds Senators Durbin, Lee, and Coons for Introducing the Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act of 2020

Legislation Will Grant Courts Discretion, Promote Public Safety & Save Taxpayer Dollars

(Washington, DC) -- Today, Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network, the country’s largest organization dedicated to advancing bipartisan criminal justice reform at the federal and state levels, released the following statement in support of bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Chris Coons (D-DE) that would eliminate the presumption of pretrial detention for nonviolent drug offenses:

“At a time when pretrial detention is at a record high, COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly through our prisons and jails -- creating a deadly situation where incarcerated people are twice as likely to die from this deadly pandemic. 

Senators Durbin, Lee and Coons are once again setting a strong example by stepping across the aisle to introduce this critical piece of legislation which will save taxpayer dollars, enhance public safety, and promote public health by eliminating outdated, one-size-fits-all policies that have locked away countless people for nonviolent drug offenses. 

Our criminal justice system was in desperate need of reform well before COVID-19 hit, but it is now in a state of emergency. We urge members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to support this legislation and ensure that we take smart steps to reduce incarceration and save the lives of people in prisons, correctional workers, and our communities at large.” 

Here’s what the bill will do:

  • Eliminate the presumption of pretrial detention for drug offenses

  • Allow courts to make an individualized determination regarding whether pretrial detention is appropriate for each defendant charged with a nonviolent drug offense 

  • Detain individuals if the court finds that they are a threat to public safety

  • Save taxpayer dollars by reducing reliance on pretrial detainment, which costs an average of $18,615 per individual

The Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act of 2020 enjoys strong bipartisan support from groups including #cut50, American Civil Liberties Union, American Conservative Union, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Black Public Defender Association, Drug Policy Alliance, Due Process Institute, Fair Trials, FAMM, Federal Public and Community Defenders, FreedomWorks, Innocence Project, Justice Roundtable, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Prison Fellowship, R Street Institute, Right on Crime, The Sentencing Project, and Tzedek Association. Justice Action Network joins these groups in urging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support this critically-needed legislation.

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River Bender: Durbin, Lee, Coons Introduce Bipartisan Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act

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ICYMI: JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK AND NAACP DEMAND CRUCIAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM MEASURES FROM CONGRESS