Durbin, Grassley Statement On Fourth Anniversary Of Landmark First Step Act
The Senators’ First Step Act has helped federal prisoners successfully reintegrate into the community
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the lead sponsors of the landmark First Step Act (FSA), today released the following statement on the fourth anniversary of the FSA—bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation designed to make our justice system fairer and our communities safer by reforming sentencing laws and providing opportunities for those who are incarcerated to prepare to re-enter society successfully:
“Four years ago, Congress came together to pass the most important criminal justice reform laws in a generation. The First Step Act passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities and was supported by a broad coalition of conservative and progressive groups alike. We were proud to champion this landmark legislation.
“Now we are committed to doing all we can to ensure its proper implementation. We will continue to press the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to fully implement the provisions of our legislation and make good on its intent.”
Last year, Durbin and Grassley introduced the bipartisan First Step Implementation Act, legislation that aims to further implement the FSA and advance its goals. And last month, the Senators sent a letter to DOJ urging BOP to fully implement the Earned Time Credit (ETC) provisions of the FSA. Implementation of ETC provisions continues to fall short at BOP, even four years after the FSA was signed into law.
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