FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Washington, DC – The American Conservative Union’s (ACU) general counsel, David Safavian, issued the following statement today about the important criminal justice reform legislation known as the First Step Act:
“Ninety-five percent of those in federal prison will eventually be released and return to our communities and neighborhoods. Unfortunately, 43% of them will end up back in prison within five years. Only a government program can fail nearly half the time and go unchanged.
“The First Step Act will take the lessons learned in conservative states such as Texas, Utah, Mississippi, and Georgia and apply them to our federal criminal justice system. These are proven methods of cutting crime while reducing our prison populations.
“Moreover, the First Step Act will end shackling of pregnant women in our prisons, which people of all political stripes find outrageous. Forcing a woman to give birth in chains is an affront to basic human dignity.
“Finally, the First Step Act will make modest sentencing reforms, which will free up taxpayer resources for higher priority public safety goals. It is no coincidence that law enforcement groups such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, and the National Association of District Attorneys all support the First Step Act.
“The American Conservative Union is proud to stand with President Donald Trump, Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Mike Lee (R-UT), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), and the law enforcement community to advance this important legislation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
David Safavian
General Counsel
American Conservative Union
(202) 255-0775
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