Congressman Fattah Statement on Growing Bipartisan Consensus for Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) released the following statement on the growing consensus for bipartisan criminal justice reform in Congress. Today in Washington, the Coalition for Public Safety hosted the Bipartisan Summit on Fair Justice, while last week in Philadelphia, President Obama delivered a major policy speech on criminal justice reform and mass incarceration. Fattah, who is the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, has been a leading advocate for comprehensive justice reform in the House of Representatives; he was instrumental in helping to create and fund the Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections and has led the charge to increase funding for the Second Chance Act:

"Over the last two weeks, the nation has heard a growing chorus of bipartisan voices calling for the United States to overhaul our criminal justice system. I applaud these efforts—especially the leadership of President Obama and my colleagues in Congress who have joined with me on significant legislation supporting comprehensive justice reform. In the House, I have introduced two bills—America's FOCUS Act and the REDEEM Act—that would go to great lengths to reduce recidivism rates and direct more funding towards justice reinvestment programs.  

"Our current system is broken; not only is it crippling our society, it is resulting in a huge economic drain on our country. This conversation is long overdue, but I am encouraged by the emerging consensus from advocates, Members of Congress, and leaders in our states and cities that are moving forward on reforms to address our growing prison system, create a second chance for low-level offenders, and ultimately build safer communities. I am hopeful that Congress can come together in the coming months to have a constructive debate, and finally pass legislation that will make the American criminal justice system fairer and more equitable."  

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Related Links

http://www.fattah.house.gov

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