Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this week, with my support, the Senate passed the FIRST STEP Act of 2018. This is a groundbreaking step toward long overdue criminal justice reform in our country. Too many people have unnecessarily spent decades behind bars for nonviolent offenses or because of disproportionately harsh mandatory minimum sentences. When these individuals are finally released, if ever, they are met with loads of challenges stemming from the lack of rehabilitative help available before and after their release. The FIRST STEP Act begins to address these issues. It allows for less prison time for nonviolent offenders, reduces harsh mandatory minimums, works to eliminate some racial disparities in sentencing, provides for meaningful education and job-training programs for inmates, and raises the chances that the incarcerated return to society for good. In short, this legislation is an important and overdue course correction from laws that, for years, created and amplified serious inequities in our criminal justice system. However, the FIRST STEP Act is not perfect. I would like to offer a few thoughts on a particular component of the legislation. This legislation requires that the Attorney General develop what is called an evidence-based risk and needs assessment tool. If all goes right, it will be a data-driven software program designed to help incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society upon release.…”