By Mark Vargas -
Criminal justice reform is not a conservative issue or a liberal issue – it’s an American issue. In fact, a majority of Americans – Republicans and Democrats alike – overwhelming support prison and sentencing reforms. Here’s why.
Did you know that the U.S. incarcerates more people than any other country in the world? Think about that. The U.S. incarcerates more people than North Korea, Russia, Venezuela and Iran combined.
Did you know that hard-working taxpayers pay $40 billion annually to keep inmates in prison?
Did you know that nonviolent incarcerated women are chained and handcuffed to the bed while they give birth?
Did you know that nonviolent, terminally ill inmates are denied requests for a “compassionate release,” and instead of dying with dignity surrounded by loved ones, they are left to die alone behind bars?
Did you know that nonviolent inmates are denied special requests to attend the funeral services of a spouse or child when they unexpectedly pass away while in prison?
Did you know that nonviolent, first-time drug offenders are serving 20, 30, 50-year sentences? Cynthia Powell was convicted of selling 35 of her diabetes pain pills to an undercover cop for a total of $300. Her mandatory minimum sentence? 25-years.
So how did we get here? Mandatory minimum sentencing laws and the 1994 Clinton crime bill accelerated mass incarceration across America. Proponents at the time argued that such measures would make our streets safer – but in the end, the legislation only led to overcrowded prisons, eliminated common sense and compassion in the court room, robbed nonviolent inmates of their dignity, and fed the narrative that everyone in prison was evil and a danger to society.
The First Step Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives back in May with overwhelming bipartisan support (360-59), and is now in the Senate awaiting passage – is long overdue. It emphasizes training inmates to acquire and develop skills to make them job ready after their release from prison by placing on inmates the responsibility to earn their way back to society. Under the Act, programs that assist inmates in rehabilitation and recovery from substance abuse are expanded; people in prison who are terminally ill will have a pathway to go home; and women inmates who are giving birth will no longer be required to be handcuffed. And the sentencing reforms that give back to a judge more discretion in sentencing will allow the judge to take into account the unique circumstances of each defendant on a case-by-case basis. This will help to restore fairness in sentencing and serve the interests of justice. And all of these reforms will help to reduce the rate of recidivism.
Support for the First Step Act is diverse, and it has united both the left and the right. Democrat Senators Dick Durbin, Corey Booker and Chuck Schumer; Republican Senators Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Chuck Grassley and Lindsey Graham; the National Fraternal Order of Police; the National Sheriffs’ Association; Koch Industries; the Center for American Progress; the American Civil Liberties Union; FreedomWorks; and Americans for Tax Reform have all joined forces to urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring this legislation to the floor for a vote so that President Trump can sign it.
No one will argue that the First Step Act is perfect, but it’s an important and necessary first step at reforming our very broken criminal justice system. And to the opponents that say the legislation gives “early release” to inmates – my message to them is simple: read the bill. The Act only incentivizes participation in recidivism reduction programs – it does not offer an early release – and anyone to suggest otherwise is guilty of spreading fake news.
The First Step Act does more than initiate much needed criminal justice reform – it restores dignity and common sense back into the conversation, and sends a message that with proper rehabilitation, everyone deserves a second chance.
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Mark Vargas (@MarkAVargas) is a criminal justice reform advocate. His work as a tech entrepreneur in health care and political opinion writer have been featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Huffington Post, CRTV (America with Eric Bolling) and Fox News Channel. A dedicated writer, Mr. Vargas is also a contributor with the Washington Examiner
