Prison Fellowship®, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, released the following after the United State Houses Judiciary Committee held a mark up hearing for the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2023 (H.R. 5430). Reintroduced with bipartisan and bicameral support, this legislation would end the current practice in federal court of increasing a defendant’s sentence based on conduct that has previously been acquitted.
“The use of acquitted conduct at sentencing is an unfair practice that erodes trust in our federal justice system and is inconsistent with American values,” said Heather Rice-Minus, President of Prison Fellowship. “Prison Fellowship applauds the bipartisan leadership in both chambers who are working diligently to restore the well-known standard of “innocent until proven guilty.”
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Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading voice for criminal justice reform. With more than 45 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.
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