Sweeping Bipartisan Prison Reform Bill Passes House; Barrels Toward Senate

Statement

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the most substantial prison reform effort to date. H.R. 5682, the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed, Safely Transitioning Every Person Act (FIRST STEP), is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Republican Congressman Doug Collins (GA-09) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), that will propel formerly-incarcerated individuals toward success when they return home, while enacting targeted reforms that would improve public safety and reduce recidivism. It authorizes $50 million per year for five years to develop new programs, including education, vocational training and mental health counseling. As a result, newly-released individuals will be positioned to successfully re-enter society.

The bill passed the House with a 360-59 bipartisan vote.

Rep. Jeffries said: "Passage of the FIRST STEP Act is a victory for all Americans who believe in justice and the power of redemption. This bill will transform lives by providing access to the mental health counseling, education, vocational services and substance abuse treatment needed to help incarcerated individuals get back on their feet and become productive members of society. The FIRST STEP Act is not the end. It's not even the beginning of the end. It's simply the end of the beginning on a journey undertaken to eradicate our mass incarceration epidemic in America. Rep. Collins should be commended for his tremendous leadership in this critical effort."

Rep. Collins said: "This afternoon, my colleagues seized the opportunity to help men, women and their communities through federal prison reform. Today's vote puts redemption back on the table for individuals who are committed to building brighter futures for themselves and their loved ones. Today's vote recognizes the value of every person and responds with proven resources and restorative justice. Finally, today's vote answers a question in the House and asks one of the Senate: Given the chance to accomplish good in this moment, will you act today or regret your inaction tomorrow? "Congressman Hakeem Jeffries has been a friend and partner in this endeavor, and he continues to be an exceptional ambassador for the faces woven into this bill."

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