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Criminal Justice Reform Achievements

January 20, 2022 by Prison Fellowship

  • CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ACHIEVEMENTS

    Prison Fellowship's justice advocates and justice ambassadors continue to make a difference in our nation.

    by Prison Fellowship

State Updates | Federal Updates | Take Action

From sentencing reform, to higher education behind bars, to unlocking second chances, the Prison Fellowship® network of justice advocates and justice ambassadors has made a difference for those affected by crime and incarceration. The continued challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic as well as divisions among political parties have not stalled criminal justice reform. Thank you for your continued support as we advocate on behalf of prisoners, returning citizens, their families, and their communities.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN THE STATES

texas state capitol

In 2021, more than 16,200 Prison Fellowship advocates contacted lawmakers in all 50 states. Because of these efforts, several criminal justice reform bills have either passed or have moved forward in states across the nation.

OKLAHOMA


Oklahoma justice advocates sent more than 750 letters asking lawmakers to reform driver's license suspension laws and remove barriers to reentry. To join in, Justice Ambassadors published a letter to the editor in a local newspaper and met with their lawmakers to discuss these important criminal justice reforms.

This year, Oklahoma lawmakers passed legislation unlocking second chances for returning citizens.

DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSION

Oklahoma lawmakers voted YES on House Bill 1795, limiting suspension of a driver’s license to infractions that endanger others and providing flexibility to Oklahomans who are working in good faith to pay off their court fines or fees.

This important change will help pave the way for tens of thousands of men and women to get safely back on the road to success.


IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 1679 into law this year. Known as the Sarah Stitt Act, this law provides IDs, employment records, and other documentation for prisoners upon their release. By dispensing these, Oklahoma will equip thousands of returning citizens with the identification and employment documents they need to become meaningful contributors to their communities.

IN THE NEWS

  • "Your Turn: Families in Oklahoma deserve the hope of Second Chances," The Oklahoman, June 2021
  • "'This Evening is About Hope': Prison nonprofit, Oklahoma partners push for justice reform," The Oklahoman, August 2021

UNLOCK SECOND CHANCES IN OKLAHOMA

Good progress was made this year to unlock second chances in Oklahoma. However, our work is not done. Oklahomans living with a criminal record still face 1,187 legal barriers. Send a letter to your lawmakers today asking them to unlock second chances.

CONTACT YOUR OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS


'Fusce tempus, neque luctus imperdiet sagittis, orci risus sagittis magna, at cursus turpis urna sed eros.'

—Name, Title


TEXAS


In Texas, justice advocates sent more than 1,200 letters to lawmakers and advocated for bail reform, for expansion of vocational and educational training for returning citizens, and for improving probation. Throughout session, Justice Ambassadors called, emailed, and met with lawmakers to share their support for these important criminal justice reforms.

In Texas, justice advocates sent more than 1,200 letters to lawmakers and advocated for bail reform, for expansion of vocational and educational training for returning citizens, and for improving probation.

IN THE NEWS

 

  • [ARTICLE ONE] “Title,” Publication, Month Year
  • [ARTICLE TWO] “Title,” Publication, Month Year
  • [ARTICLE THREE] “Title,” Publication, Month Year

 

VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL TRAINING

Lawmakers passed legislation to make sure more Texans in community corrections are equipped with the skills and training they need to provide for their families and contribute to their communities.


TEXT REMINDER SYSTEM

Texas lawmakers passed legislation to introduce text reminders to the Texas Judicial System. Now, each county will have a court reminder program to notify defendants of court appearances.


PROBATION

House Bill 385 passed, reducing the number of unnecessary and arbitrary conditions people on probation face, basing those conditions instead on a person’s risks and needs, and helping people succeed on community supervision.

In addition, this bill created an earned time credit for probationers who take part in faith-based programs.


PRETRIAL REFORM

As Texas lawmakers considered pretrial reform over the course of regular legislative session and two special sessions, Prison Fellowship urged lawmakers to ensure jail before trial is carefully focused and that low-income, low-risk defendants not be incarcerated due to unreasonable money bail requirements.

Although Prison Fellowship did not endorse SB6, the final pretrial reform package passed by the legislature, our team worked to improve the legislative language as it moved throughout session. However, our advocacy contributed to its improvement over time, including careful consideration of a defendant’s ability to pay before a money bond is set and religious liberty protections for charitable organizations that cover money bail for low-income defendants.

IN THE NEWS

  • "Will Texas Finally Tackle Bail Reform?", Arnold Ventures, April 2021

TEXAS CTA

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CTA BUTTON W/ URL


'Fusce tempus, neque luctus imperdiet sagittis, orci risus sagittis magna, at cursus turpis urna sed eros.'

—Name, Title


TENNESSEE


Justice advocates in Tennessee sent 1,761 letters in support of two criminal justice reform bills that Gov. Bill Lee ultimately signed into law: the Alternatives to Incarceration Act and the Re-entry Success Act. Joining in on the action, Justice Ambassadors sent letters and called their lawmakers, testified before legislative committee, published a letter to the editor, and met with lawmakers during Prison Fellowship’s Tennessee lobby day to show their support these two bills!

Justice advocates in Tennessee sent 1,761 letters in support of two criminal justice reform bills that Gov. Bill Lee ultimately signed into law: the Alternatives to Incarceration Act and the Re-entry Success Act.

IN THE NEWS

 

  • [ARTICLE ONE] “Title,” Publication, Month Year
  • [ARTICLE TWO] “Title,” Publication, Month Year
  • [ARTICLE THREE] “Title,” Publication, Month Year

 

THE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION ACT

The Alternatives to Incarceration Act expands access to safe prison alternatives, ensures reasonable pretrial release conditions, and establishes fair probation policies that limit needlessly lengthy terms or extensions.


THE RE-ENTRY SUCCESS ACT

The Re-Entry Success Act creates rehabilitation and public safety-oriented policies, provides reentry supervision support to individuals about to rejoin society, incentivizes local jails to provide rehabilitative programming, and removes unnecessary employment barriers.

IN THE NEWS

  • "2 Criminal Justice Reform Bills Are Approved by Tennessee Legislature," The Chattanoogan, April 2021
  • "Grace Needed in Reforming Justice System, ERLC's Leatherwood Says," The Alabama Baptist, November 2021

TENNESSEE CTA

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CTA BUTTON W/ URL


'Fusce tempus, neque luctus imperdiet sagittis, orci risus sagittis magna, at cursus turpis urna sed eros.'

—Name, Title


VIRGINIA


To build support for Prison Fellowship’s legislative priorities amongst their lawmakers, Virginia justice advocates sent more than 140 letters. Justice Ambassadors assisted by conducting 15 lawmakers' meetings during Prison Fellowship's Virginia lobby day to share their support.

This year, the Commonwealth of Virginia addressed voting rights and parole.

To build support for Prison Fellowship’s legislative priorities amongst their lawmakers, Virginia justice advocates sent more than 140 letters, shared public testimony, and equipped Justice Ambassadors.

This year, the Commonwealth of Virginia addressed voting rights and parole.

IN THE NEWS

 

  • [ARTICLE ONE] “Title,” Publication, Month Year
  • [ARTICLE TWO] “Title,” Publication, Month Year
  • [ARTICLE THREE] “Title,” Publication, Month Year

 

VOTING RIGHTS

For Virginians with a felony to have their right to vote restored, Virginia must pass a constitutional amendment. This year, legislation passed the General Assembly as a first step to restore voting rights to these Virginians who have paid their debts to society.

Due to the prescribed process for constitutional amendments, the Virginia General Assembly must pass the voting rights resolution for a second time in 2022. Once passed, the resolution will be placed on the 2022 ballot for voters to consider in the Commonwealth.


PAROLE

Ever since 1995 when Virginia abolished parole eligibility for prisoners with a felony conviction, incarcerated people have lived without the hope of this meaningful mechanism for second chances. But because of the tireless work by justice advocates this year, Virginia has laid the groundwork for legislation that will restore parole in future legislative sessions.

IN THE NEWS

  • "Kate Trammell Column: It's time to make Virginia a beacon for voting rights," Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 2021

VIRGINIA CTA

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CTA BUTTON W/ URL


'Fusce tempus, neque luctus imperdiet sagittis, orci risus sagittis magna, at cursus turpis urna sed eros.'

—Name, Title


CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ON CAPITOL HILL

capitol building washington dc

Criminal justice reform was not just limited to individual states. Throughout 2021, Prison Fellowship supported multiple important criminal justice reforms across the nation on a federal level.

FEDERAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS


During the COVID-19 pandemic and following advocacy by Prison Fellowship advocates and numerous partners, the U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration independently removed barriers in the Paycheck Protection Program for small business owners with a criminal record. Because of this, accessible emergency loans kept businesses open and staff employed.

More than 40 states suspend driver licenses for failure to pay court fines and fees. While well-intended, these sanctions make it hard for Americans with a criminal record to find work, care for their families, and actually pay off court debt. Both the House and Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act, which would support states in moving away from this counterproductive practice.

Congress made historic investments in reentry through the Second Chance Act grant program and through the implementation of the FIRST STEP Act.


'Fusce tempus, neque luctus imperdiet sagittis, orci risus sagittis magna, at cursus turpis urna sed eros.'

—Name, Title


TAKING ON THE CRACK POWDER COCAINE DISPARITY


Even though crack cocaine and powder cocaine are chemically nearly identical and have similar effects, federal law treats these two substances quite differently. This inconsistent sentencing not only undermines biblical values of fairness and proportionality but also increases overincarceration for crack cocaine crimes in low-income communities and communities of color.

In a decisive September 2021 vote, the House of Representatives passed the EQUAL Act, which would ensure that federal law treats crack cocaine and powder cocaine sentences identically and allows for careful review of cases sentenced under the prior law. The Senate must swiftly take up this reform that advances proportional punishment, strengthens trust between communities and law enforcement, and advances public safety.

THE RESTORATION OF PELL GRANTS


In December 2021, we will celebrate the one year anniversary of Congress restoring access to Pell Grants for incarcerated students. By expanding access to higher education behind bars, this policy change will positively transform lives, livelihoods, and communities.

The restoration of access to Pell Grants behind bars shows us what can be achieved when people from different walks of life work together to make a difference in the world.

IN THE NEWS

  • "Roundtable Explores the Potential Impact of Pell Grant Restoration for Incarcerated Students," Diverse, January 2021
  • "Sheena Beasley: A Chance for Tillis to Build on His Legacy of Justice Reform," News & Record, July 2021
  • "A Crack in the System: How Unfair Drug Sentencing Laws Disrupt Racial Justice," Christianity Today, March 2021

'Fusce tempus, neque luctus imperdiet sagittis, orci risus sagittis magna, at cursus turpis urna sed eros.'

—Name, Title


ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

With more than 45 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms. These reforms transform those responsible for crime, while at the same time validating victims and encouraging communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.

Join us as we act on real issues incarcerated people and returning citizens face today.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

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Filed Under: Advocacy & Reentry, Prison Fellowship News & Updates Tagged With: Criminal Justice Reform, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

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