“The Federal Prison Oversight Act is critically needed in light of mounting evidence of human rights abuses in federal facilities and on-going staff shortages…” -JC Hendrickson, JAN’s Federal Affairs Director

justiceactionnetwork.org/news/kaabzxgbf…

In an immense win for government transparency and accountability, The Federal Prison Oversight Act just passed Oversight Committee Oversight Committee Democrats with overwhelming bipartisan support!

'Adequately staffing prisons is essential for the safety of both incarcerated individuals and Federal Bureau of Prisons staff.' - Rep. James Comer

Prison facilities across the nation are understaffed, creating dangerous conditions for workers and leading to neglect for inmates. Oversight can help recruit and retain officers.

Prison Oversight is critical to ensuring our federal facilities are safe workplaces for corrections officers, and places of rehabilitation that can deliver justice. We're proud to stand alongside a broad bipartisan group in support.

Ahead of today's markup, we urge Oversight Committee + Oversight Committee Democrats to advance the Federal Prison Oversight Act (HR 3019).

This legislation will increase accountability, transparency, and safety within the Bureau of Prisons.

Our full letter:

Tune in!

oversight.house.gov/markup/full-co…

At 10 am ET, the House Oversight Committee will meet to markup HR 3019, the Federal Prison Oversight Act. Tune in!

“This represents the mounds and mounds of paper that individuals have to go through in order to get those records expunged. It’s a graphic representation of the weight of those records.” - Nan Gibson, Exec. Dir. of the JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter.

whyy.org/articles/phila…

Major win for Arizona and for #secondchances ! Glad to have worked alongside Goldwater Institute on this bill, and we echo the thank you to Rep. Travis Grantham for his support and sponsorship!

“They can’t snap their fingers and close a prison. Now the question is do we stop here or do we do more? Have we gone far enough?” -Scott Graves, California Budget & Policy Center

latimes.com/california/sto…

“For the nearly 2 million people who are incarcerated in U.S. jails and prisons, maintaining connection with loved ones and communities is associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, reduced recidivism, and successful reentry into society.”
theappeal.org/rights-groups-…

Clean Slate is #MoreThanSecondChances ! #CleanSlate is a win for the economy.

With 94% of employers using background checks to screen out applicants with records. #CleanSlate works to provide a pathway for people to provide for themselves + contribute to their communities.

'...proposed language would unjustly punish people incarcerated at Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities... without regard to whether the communication has a legitimate legal or personal purpose,' write Jason Pye 🌐 and JC Hendrickson

justiceactionnetwork.org/news/uufogozro…

Together we can help build stronger communities by listening to those most impacted by the justice system.

Support #SecondChanceMonth !

April is officially #SecondChanceMonth . In his 2024 proclamation, President Biden explains how minimizing obstacles for formerly incarcerated people, reducing unnecessary incarceration, & improving prison conditions makes communities stronger & safer. Read it here: whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

Access to work reduces recidivism! This unanimous passage is an economic and public safety win for every Arizonan!

“...kids have been able to visit with their parents in person and hug them and look into their eyes and touch them. This is something that is increasingly going away in jails across the country.” -Leslie Bailey, Debtors’ Prison Project at Public Justice

nytimes.com/2024/03/28/us/…

Hoping that Kentucky will follow suit in 2025. No reason not to automate the process, while still preserving the voice of victims and discretion of judges. #kyga25 #CleanSlate