william barr attorney general
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With Barr’s Nomination, Does Justice Reform Hang in the Balance?

Who is President Trump's nominee for attorney general, and how will the FIRST STEP Act fare under his leadership? Prison Fellowship's Craig DeRoche reflects on what's next for justice reform in America.

By Craig DeRoche
January 17, 2019
FIRST STEP Act | Trump Administration | William Barr
State of the Union feature
  • Advocacy & Reentry
  • Feature Stories
Obama’s Last Year: Tackling Criminal Justice Reform

In his final State of the Union address last night, President Obama told the American people that he would not allow his final year in office to be a silly season.

Among his key priorities for the year would be an increased emphasis on criminal justice reform—an effort Obama referenced as a "bipartisan priority" despite the current rancorous bipartisan climate.

By Craig DeRoche
January 13, 2016
Criminal Justice Reform | Kemba Smith | Obama Administration | Second Chances | State of the Union | Sue Ellen Allen | Tulsi Gabbard
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Felony Disenfranchisement in America: 2015

A version of this post appears on the Justice Fellowship website.

In 2015, an estimated 5.8 million Americans are denied their right to vote.  Christian leaders who set policy should act to correct this affront on redemption, restoration, and hope in our communities.

By Craig DeRoche
November 24, 2015
Craig DeRoche | Florida | Jeb Bush | Jesse Wiese | Kentucky | Second Prison Project | Washington Post
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Will You Write a Letter to the Pope?

In the very first month in his official capacity, Pope Francis made a landmark visit to a juvenile detention facility where he washed and kissed the feet of youth. During his upcoming visit to the U.S., he will be visiting a prison again, this time in Philadelphia.

By Craig DeRoche
August 27, 2015
Pope Francis | Prison
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Stuck in Pretrial Limbo

The following article originally appeared on the Pretrial Justice Institute website, and appears here with permission.

Joe has not been convicted of a crime. He’s innocent, in fact, but he’s still in jail. He’s been sitting there for over two months now, waiting to appear before a judge, waiting for the chance to prove his innocence, but his trial date is nowhere in sight, and he doesn’t have the money to post bond.

By Craig DeRoche
March 5, 2015
Craig DeRoche | Limbo | Pretrial | Pretrial Justice Institute | Restorative Justice
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We Like What You’re Doing There, California

A version of this article originally appeared on the Justice Fellowship website.

“I agree with you; I want to do it; now make me do it.”

So President Franklin Roosevelt is believed to have replied when labor leaders asked him for executive action.

By Craig DeRoche
November 3, 2014
California | Initiative | Justice Fellowship | Proposition 47 | Restorative Justice | sentencing
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UPDATE: FCC Votes to Cap Phone Rates in Prison

After years of work to limit astronomical phone rates in jails and prisons, we have reached a significant milestone!  At today’s open meeting in Washington, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 2-1 to cut the rates that prisoners and their families pay for interstate phone calls. 

By Craig DeRoche
August 9, 2013
FCC | Telephone Rates
  • Uncategorized
New Bill Seeks to Create Fairer Sentencing Practices

On August 1, senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a bipartisan bill known as the Smarter Sentencing Act, which will advance more effective and just criminal sentencing for non-violent drug offenses. The legislation is intended to refocus the Bureau of Prisons’ resources on the most serious offenders and crime prevention.

By Craig DeRoche
August 2, 2013
Craig DeRoche | Senator Durbin | Senator Lee | Smarter Sentencing Act
  • Press Releases
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New Congressional Task Force Honors Chuck Colson

We are pleased to announce that the U.S. House Appropriations Committee honored Chuck Colson with a task force on federal corrections. The Committee has set aside funds in the FY2014 spending bill to establish the Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections to make recommendations to increase public safety, improve offender accountability, reduce recidivism, address victims’ services, and control costs.

By Craig DeRoche
July 23, 2013
Chuck Colson | Craig DeRoche | Justice Reform

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