Prison Fellowship® believes seeking justice calls us to champion justice that restores both for individuals and for entire systems that have been broken. That’s why we advocate for a criminal justice system that prioritizes fairness, community safety, and rehabilitation.
From making sure punishment fits the crime to unlocking second chances, our advocacy team and network of grassroots and faith leaders have made a difference. Amid growing concerns about rising violence and a challenging political climate, a view of justice that is based in biblical values is critically important. Thank you for your continued support as we advocate for justice that restores prisoners, returning citizens, their families, and their communities.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN THE STATES
OKLAHOMA
When the Sooner State convened its 2022 legislative session, Prison Fellowship set its sights on increasing economic opportunity for Oklahomans with a criminal record and modernizing the state’s sentencing code.
Advocates met with their lawmakers, made phone calls, and sent more than 2,500 letters in support of SB1691. Those diligent efforts resulted in this important bill being signed into law, making Oklahoma a national leader in fair licensing processes for applicants with a criminal record.
SB 1646 would have created a more orderly and proportional felony sentencing structure. Ultimately, the House of Representatives chose not to advance this bill despite Senate passage, where Prison Fellowship’s support was cited during chamber debate by the bill’s champion. We will continue working toward punishment that fits the crime in Oklahoma.
VIRGINIA
To the east, in the Old Dominion, Prison Fellowship partnered with champions in the General Assembly, as well as Justice Ambassadors and advocates, to support voting rights restoration and more effective processes within the Commonwealth’s occupational licensing system.
The General Assembly considered an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that would restore voting rights to people when they leave prison. Prison Fellowship lifted up this message through direct lobbying and lawmaker education, with our grassroots activists sending more than 1,500 letters of support to the General Assembly and engaging in a week of virtual lobbying. While we saw an increase in bipartisan support for voting rights restoration, the amendment was not ultimately successful. In 2023, we will continue advocating for the civic rights of those who have moved on from incarceration.
As in Oklahoma, Prison Fellowship spearheaded legislation to improve the occupational licensing application and review practices for Virginians with a criminal record. Due to legislative process, the bill must be passed again in 2023 to become law.
TENNESSEE
In Tennessee, Prison Fellowship staff and advocates mobilized against harmful legislation that would remove key rehabilitation incentives for people behind bars, while simultaneously pushing for fairness and transparency in state sentencing laws.
Prison Fellowship opposed HB 2656, which would eliminate or limit parole and sentencing reduction credits—tools that foster life change among prisoners by encouraging character development and program participation. Advocates sent nearly 2,000 letters to lawmakers on the topic, while faith leaders and Prison Fellowship staff made the case for promoting change behind bars. Justice Ambassador Lindsay Holloway led the way in this campaign by generously sharing her own story of redemption, demonstrating how parole and earned time credits contribute to the success of the women she now serves in reentry ministry.
This multipronged campaign helped to prompt important changes to this harmful bill that ultimately decreased its scope and severity. We will continue to educate lawmakers about the critical role robust access to parole and earned time credits play behind bars and communities.
Prison Fellowship strongly supported HB 2183, the Transparency in Sentencing for Victims Act. Signed into law by Gov. Lee, this bill ensures that defendants, communities, and victims of crime are informed at sentencing about the minimum term a defendant must serve before becoming eligible for early release.
In 2021, Tennessee’s General Assembly changed its sentencing guidance for certain drug offenses. This year’s bill, HB 1449, built on that 2021 reform by allowing prisoners who were sentenced under the old law to petition for a new sentencing hearing under the current law. Prison Fellowship contributed to successful passage of this legislation, and we are thrilled that Tennessee lawmakers and Governor Lee recognize that fair punishment should not depend on sentencing date.
MICHIGAN
Prison Fellowship staff and advocates in Michigan spent the early months of 2022 building support for a package of pretrial justice reforms alongside faith leaders and legislative champions. Michigan’s legislative session continues through the end of 2022, and we will continue to engage lawmakers on pretrial justice policies that advance pretrial liberty and public safety.
This legislation directs courts to base pretrial decisions on public safety and flight risk, encourages more cautious use of money bail and detention before trial, and expands the use of nonmonetary release conditions that allow defendants to responsibly await their court date with their families.
Prison Fellowship contributed to the passage of HB 5765 signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. The bill allows retired correctional officers to fill open positions while still being able to receive monthly retirement benefits. By encouraging the return of experienced correctional staff, HB 5765 supports currently overextended correctional officers and improves staff well-being essential for an effective prison system.
OHIO
Prison Fellowship staff and advocates in Ohio spent 2022 building out our work in the Buckeye State, with advocacy focused on pretrial justice and barriers to success.
HB315 encourages more careful use of money bail to avoid unjust burdens on the poor and working-class, and provides clearer guidance for judges in pretrial decision making.
In Ohio, driver’s license suspensions are overused for offenses unrelated to irresponsible driving. These barriers to transportation limit a person’s ability to maintain steady employment, provide for their loved ones, and pay off court debt. Under SB301, driver license suspensions will remain a tool for maintaining safety on the road—but would be applied in a more focused manner and with fewer negative consequences for Ohioans pursuing work and opportunity.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ON CAPITOL HILL
SECOND CHANCES
The U.S. Senate declared April 2022 as Second Chance Month, highlighting the work of Prison Fellowship and more than 700 partners breaking barriers for the 1 in 3 Americans with a criminal record. The Biden administration and more than 25 jurisdictions officially observed April as Second Chance Month with declarations and events.
POLICING REFORM
Prison Fellowship is deeply engaged in movement of the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act, which would expand access to quality law enforcement training on topics related to alternatives to use of force, de-escalation, and crisis intervention. Through direct lobbying, grassroots advocacy, and collaboration with mental health, law enforcement, and faith partners, Prison Fellowship has helped to secure 17 additional cosponsors for the bill. Following the Senate’s unanimous passage of the bill in August, the House of Representatives passed this legislation in December and sent it to the President’s desk.
PROPORTIONAL SENTENCING
Prison Fellowship has continued to build up support for the EQUAL Act. Through critical media placements, direct lobbying, and grassroots advocacy, we helped secure six additional cosponsors to the legislation in 2022 and the incorporation of the legislation as an amendment into the House of Representatives’ initial National Defense Authorization Act bill. More than 50 Justice Ambassadors, Prison Fellowship staff, and faith leaders directly lobbied their lawmakers on this bill through virtual and in-person lobbying days. Prison Fellowship is working with faith based, law enforcement, and civil rights partners to move this critical reform over the finish line before the close of the 117th Congress.
REMOVING BARRIERS
In addition to these primary initiatives, Prison Fellowship is supporting efforts to improve federal supervision practices, promote fairer sentencing, reduce barriers to health care for men and women leaving prison and jail, and help states move away from driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay court debt.
EQUIPPING ADVOCATES
30,000+ Advocates from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., called on their lawmakers to pursue justice that restores.
250+ advocates have been specially trained as Justice Ambassadors, including seven graduates from a pilot track elevating the voices of formerly incarcerated people.
IN THE NEWS
- Transparency in Sentencing for Victims Act creates transparency, gives Tennesseans second chance, The Tennessean, March 15, 2022
- Our Take: It’s Time to Get Pretrial Justice Right in Michigan, Holland Sentinel, March 29, 2022
- A missed opportunity to restore opportunity and dignity, Roanoke Times, March 31, 2022
- Prison Fellowship Statement on Biden Administration’s Clemency and Reentry Initiatives, April 26, 2022
- https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2022/03/15/tennessee-must-rethink-prison-sentencing-inmates-seeking-change/7051021001/
- Oklahoma Eliminates Licensing Barriers for People with Criminal Records, Institute for Justice, May 17, 2022
- EQUAL Act backers rally for Senate action on new drug sentencing norms, Washington Times, June 8, 2022
- North Dakota lawmakers, advocates push for equal sentencing in federal cocaine and crack crimes, KYFR TV, July 12, 2022
- Prison Fellowship Statement on Senate Passage of Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act, August 3, 2022
- After Memphis Killings, officials push harsher sentencing laws, Associated Press, September 8, 2022
- Muskegon police, faith leaders meet to build trust, Wood 8 TV, December 3rd, 2022
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.
GET UPDATES AND READ STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION
Make sure you don't miss out on any of our helpful articles and incredible transformation stories! Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter, and you'll get great content delivered directly to your inbox.
Your privacy is safe with us. We will never sell, trade, or share your personal information.
SUPPORT THE WORK OF PRISON FELLOWSHIP