Should Senate Approve the “First Step Act?”
For many politicians and activists dedicated to prison reform (Kim Kardashian included), the “First Step Act” is too much of a baby step. The First Step Act could improve the lives of prisoners, but many believe it should be blocked until a bill is advanced that addresses sentencing reform. But should the Senate block a good bill because it’s not good enough?
[The First Step Act] would increase the good time credit, insure inmates are placed within 500 driving miles of their families and provide incentives for inmates to complete rehabilitation programs. Trump has pledged to sign the bill. So what could go wrong? The U.S. Senate… It would be great if Kardashian’s appeal for Johnson’s release changed the president’s heart by putting a face on a system that throws small-fish nonviolent offenders in prison until they die. But if it doesn’t, the Senate should go for a win that eases the way for federal inmates upon their release.
First, Senate Democrats and criminal justice advocates immediately downplayed and criticized the bill, calling for more comprehensive legislation that would focus on sentencing reforms and mandatory minimums. The problem is, bolder legislation is likely not to pass this year… I consider it a mistake to oppose The First Step Act… Think about it: The bill would end the barbaric practice of shackling pregnant women in prison; it would enable everyone in federal prison (except those serving life sentences) to earn more time off for good behavior, thereby enabling them to return to their families sooner.
By choosing a tepid approach, the prison bill abandons years of work and risks making it harder for Congress to advance more serious legislation in the future. Meaningful sentencing reform will be less likely to occur if the narrow prison bill is enacted… Nobody is under any illusions: Criminal-justice reform is hard. The White House might scuttle the bill entirely, and wavering members of Congress might balk. But to reform America’s prisons, we must change the laws that send people to them in the first place. Anything less represents a failure of leadership.