27 Oct Balancing COVID-19 Case Backlog and Speedy Trial Concerns
Many people take the right to a speedy trial for granted, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting case backlog is likely to change that.
Supervised Release
02 Jun Tennessee Justice Reform Bills Give Major Discretion to Judges, Boards
On May 24, Tennessee governor Bill Lee signed two new justice reform bills into law. Both bills provide mechanisms to reduce jail and prison populations and recidivism. But whether or not these laws actually achieve these reductions is still largely up to the state's judges
05 May The First Step Act Risk And Needs Assessment Explained
The First Step Act requires that the Attorney General and BOP complete a risk and needs assessment for each prisoner. What is the assessment?
30 Mar A Look At The New York Fair & Timely, Elder Parole Bills
New York lawmakers are working on a pair of bills that would reform how parole works in the state. Both the Fair and Timely Parole Act and the Elder Parole bill loosen restrictions on parole. If passed, they could reduce the sentences of a significant
02 Feb It’s Time for the Next Step Act
Posted at 14:00h
in Emphasizing Rehabilitation, Ending Mass Incarceration, Mandatory Minimums, Prisons, Supervised Release
The First Step Act was literally that: a first step. Now that the political winds have changed, its time for the Next Step Act to become law.
29 Dec Community Supervision Act Helps At-Risk Prisoners
Posted at 20:52h
in Challenges After Release, Emphasizing Rehabilitation, Ending Mass Incarceration, Prisons, Supervised Release
Under the Emergency Community Supervision Act, the government would release vulnerable individuals from prison. Then, it would place them in community supervision while COVID-19 continues to present a national health emergency.
29 Dec First Step Act of 2018: Two Years Later
Posted at 19:39h
in Emphasizing Rehabilitation, Ending Mass Incarceration, Mandatory Minimums, Prisons, Supervised Release
The First Step Act was a bipartisan project several years in the making. The goal of the bipartisan effort was simple but important. It aimed to reduce the number of people in federal prisons while maintaining public safety.