“The Environment May Be Challenging But We Have Never Been More Committed.”

STATEMENT FROM JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE FIRST STEP ACT, LANDMARK FEDERAL PRISON AND SENTENCING REFORM LEGISLATION

Bipartisan Advocates Call on Democratic and Republican Lawmakers to Pass the EQUAL Act in Senate Following Overwhelming Bipartisan Support in House (361-66) 

(Washington, DC) – Today marks the three-year anniversary of the signing of the historic First Step Act of 2018, the first package of sentencing and prison reforms in decades. This legislation was a significant milestone in the criminal justice reform movement, and proved Republicans and Democrats could work together to reform our broken justice system. As its name suggested, the First Step Act was just the first step, and much work remains to be done to make our federal justice system fairer and more effective. 

Holly Harris, Executive Director of Justice Action Network, made the following statement regarding the anniversary of the First Step Act – and the path forward:

“The First Step Act was a watershed moment for bipartisan cooperation on criminal justice reform, and it was also the product of years of work from advocates, impacted people, and justice system stakeholders committed to fixing our broken justice system. The Act freed thousands of people who went on to find jobs, reconnect with their families, and live positive, productive lives. 

Today, we face unique and difficult circumstances: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, economic turmoil, a political climate that is more toxic than ever, and rising levels of violent crime in cities across America. The environment has never been more challenging, but we have never been more committed.

It is during these turbulent times that we must double down on reform, not dig in on the status quo. We still incarcerate far too many people for far too long who are sick, not dangerous; we still spend billions of dollars each year on a prison system that creates better criminals, instead of better citizens; and we still place barriers in front of people returning to society that prevents them from finding stable housing, education, and employment. 

We are grateful to the House of Representatives for disrupting this cycle of failure, and passing the EQUAL Act, a bill that would finally and fully eliminate the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, one of the worst vestiges of injustice in America’s drug policy. The EQUAL Act won the support of conservatives like Representatives Jim Jordan and Louie Gohmert, as well as leaders across the aisle like Representatives Hakeem Jeffries and Jim Clyburn, and achieved an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 361-66. 

Now, with a growing list of bipartisan co-sponsors in the Senate, as well as endorsements from prosecutors and police chiefs, the EQUAL Act is poised for final passage in the new year. And it’s not our only opportunity—bipartisan reforms on sentencing, record-sealing, fines and fees, compassionate release, and oversight are all on the move.

Bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation will never be handed to us on a silver platter. It will take real leadership, and the humility to put aside partisan differences to work in the best interests of the American people. Three years after the passage of First Step Act, we recognize the challenges, and remain ever more committed, to the fight for a fairer, more efficient, and more effective justice system.