Both of us have spent a good part of our life on the opposite sides of the prison bars.
One of us worked for 16 years in the Federal Bureau of Jails, including a stretch as acting director during the first Trump administration. Others spent 14 years in the Federal Jail, which helped to earn their freedom and successfully create society before fighting to help hundreds of thousands.
Despite these different backgrounds – or perhaps because of them – we agree on one thing: our criminal justice system can do a lot to increase security and justice for all Americans.
So we were encouraged when last month, the jail bureau quietly A new instruction issued This will help disorganized individuals to return more quickly to their families and communities.
Although we are optimistic, the devil is in the description. To succeed this policy, it must be appropriate and continuously applied to all that qualify.
The US has made real progress on criminal justice in the last few decades. Crime rate 61 percent decline Since its peak in 1991. Jail is a population About 25 percent shrunk Since 2009, there are racial inequalities 40 percent dropped,
This progress came from thoughtful, bilateral reforms. Between 2007 and 2018,35 statesPassed punishment and improvement reform law. At the federal level, two landmark measures –Second chance actAndFirst step act– To look different.
President George W. in 2008. Signed by Bush, the second Chance Act Funds State and local programs that help people rebuild their communities.
Ten years later, Trump signed the first phase act, which amended the compulsory minimum, expanded opportunities for people to earn time credit towards initial release and increased access to rehabilitation and business programs.
Many were surprised when Trump, who promised strict sentences, made the first step act champion, as he campaigned for the office. But he pressurized the Republican in the Congress and supported it with enthusiasm Signed in lawThis is a proof that “America is a nation that believes in redemption”.
In his second term, Trump has sent mixed signs so far. Their justice department Cut more than $ 500 million In state and local criminal justice grants, and Attorney General Palm Bondi roll New hard-prone policies.
At the same time, Trump Created a new “forgiveness czar” position To advise him on the slayer decisions of the presidential, appointing Alice Mary Johnson – who served more than 20 years in the federal prison before receiving the apology from Trump – for the role.
The latest advancement took place in June when Bureau of Price Director William K. Marshal III GuidedBureau to fully implement both Bureau Second Chance Act and First Step Act.
Announcing “The Don of a New Era”, Marshall promised that policy change would save money, reduce strains on improvement employees and facilities and make it easy for many disorganized people to return home and contribute to society.
This latter point is the focal point of the first phase act. The Act allows low -risk individuals to complete rehabilitation programs to earn “time credit”, which can be implemented to initial release or apply to serve the remaining sentences in the imprisonment or residential revaluation centers of the house.
Since its passage, the first step act has proved effective. A Council of criminal justice It was found that individuals issued under the first phase Act were 55 percent less likely to return to jail than people with similar profiles issued before the law became effective. These low recurrences also organized by the bureau of jails among high risk people.
Still challenges remain. Despite receiving more than $ 400 million annually under the first phase Act, the Bureau of Jail has Long claimed It lacks contract capacity to support house imprisonment and reunion centers.
There is also confusion about whether the first step act and the second chance Act can be implemented simultaneously. Both Biden and the Trump administration initially said that they could not do it before allowing it.
The new Bureau of Point Policy promises to resolve these issues, but its success will depend on the implementation. The director’s message should arrive by all corners of the system and adopt them.
We have encouraged the signals so far. This month, jails bureau Launched a task force To address the logistic obstacles faced by the employees – is a promising step towards ensuring the policy.
Moving forward, we see three top priorities.
First, communication. With more than 155,000 employees, the bureau of jails should ensure that each staff member understands this policy and why it matters.
Second, training. Many times, people stay behind bars only because employees are not properly trained on how to implement the law.
And third, accountability. The leaders of the jails should quickly address any employee who opposes changes – whether through improvement or removal.
In the early months of Trump’s second term, we have seen America’s political partition on performance, from “large beautiful bills” to the new tariff from Iran’s bombing.
Criminal justice reform should be an exception. This provides a rare opportunity for common ground – the opportunity to pursue the solution that makes our communities both safe and more.
Hug Harvitz The first Trump as acting director during administration, worked for the bureau of jails for more than 16 years, and is a member of the council on criminal justice. Louis El ReidThose who served about 14 years in the federal jail and later helped pass more than 30 states and federal bills including the first phase Act of 2018. He is a member of the Criminal Justice Board of Trustees Council.
