First Step Act: Thank your Congressman for signing, & ask them to fund it!

[PastaChef]

The Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act or First Step Act reforms the federal prison system of the United States of America, and seeks to reduce recidivism. An initial version of the bill passed the House of Representatives (360–59) on May 22, 2018; a revised bill passed the U.S. Senate (on a bipartisan 87–12 vote) on December 18, 2018.[2] The House approved the bill with Senate revisions on December 20, 2018 (358–36).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Step_Act

[fbopnomore]

Now we just wait for the federal bureau of prison to get around to implementing the law. 8 months later they still are trying to figure out how to award the retroactive good time, and haven't yet decided which programs (if any) will qualify for additional half way house time.

New law, but same old bop.

[GaReform]

Originally Posted by PastaChef

The Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act or First Step Act reforms the federal prison system of the United States of America, and seeks to reduce recidivism. An initial version of the bill passed the House of Representatives (360–59) on May 22, 2018; a revised bill passed the U.S. Senate (on a bipartisan 87–12 vote) on December 18, 2018.[2] The House approved the bill with Senate revisions on December 20, 2018 (358–36).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Step_Act

A great idea but I would also suggest that if your Congress person DIDN'T sign it, reach out & ask why. Elections will be not too far away & they need to know that reformative justice is a priority.

The more people that keep bringing it up, the harder it'll be to ignore. It's easy to take pictures with cute babies, groups of school kids, military, or senior citizens. People with loved ones who have been impacted by the criminal justice system are rarely in those photo ops but we vote too. In fact, with over 65 million people having some sort of conviction in their past, they have loved ones who care about them. I'd say that's a lot of votes to influence.

[Viettim]

Any movement you know of on Mandatory Minimum sentencing reform (that virtually all Federal Judges hate) . I think this is just filling up prisons for longer terms with no real benefits. Any new information is appreciated, my vote goes to those that support both First Step Act and any movement toward abolishing Mandatory Minimum Sentences.

[patchouli]

Actually, now it needs for the promised funding to be approved:

First Step Act Comes Up Short in Trump’s 2020 Budget

Filed 6:00 a.m.

03.12.2019

Supporters worry because law seeks $75 million a year for five years, but president’s plan lists $14 million.

When groups that lobby for federal prison reform found there was no money in the budget this year for the First Step Act, many gave Congress and the White House a pass. They focused instead on next year’s funding for the new law, which includes more prison education and job-training programs.

But on Monday, their good faith was put to the test as President Trump released his budget priorities for 2020. Only $14 million was explicitly listed to finance the act’s programs.

Read entire article below:
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2...-s-2020-budget

FAMM and 13 National Organizations Urge Congress to Fund the First Step Act

September 10, 2019
Categories: Press Release

FAMM and 13 National Organizations Urge Congress to Fund the First Step Act

Congress has not yet allocated $75M to the Bureau of Prisons to implement the legislation as authorized


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, FAMM along with 13 national organizations, sent a letter to the chair and ranking members of the Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies urging them to appropriate the $75M authorized to the Bureau of Prisons for the implementation of the First Step Act.

“The funding is critical to ensuring that everyone has access to rehabilitative programming,” said Kevin Ring, president of FAMM. “If Congress really cares about public safety and transforming our prisons, it must fully fund the First Step Act.”

https://famm.org/famm-and-13-nationa...irst-step-act/

I wouldn't worry too much about thanking anyone until they fulfill the entire promise.