In a dramatic reversal, House and
Senate leaders have agreed to consider legislation before adjourning that would
renew the Second Chance Act and allow for some federal sentencing reform. While
the legislation is far from perfect, it represents the most comprehensive
reform to federal sentencing guidelines in a generation.
The ELCA social statement, The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing
the Cries, recognizes that current approaches to sentencing and
incarceration, founded on an underlying punitive mindset and persistent
inequalities based on race and class, impose significant costs on all involved
in the system and on society as a whole. Because mass incarceration causes
significant harms, our social teaching supports reform as part of the ELCA commitment
to challenge systems of racial and economic injustice by moving toward fairness
and equity in the church and society.
Our Representatives and Senators need to hear our
priorities for this important legislation:
We ask Congress to support sentencing reform that:
Restores judges’ discretion in sentencing
decisions and decriminalizes addiction.
Promotes greater economic and racial justice
by allowing thousands of federal prisoners to seek fairer punishments than what
they are currently serving.
Focuses criminal justice funding on crime
prevention and recidivism reduction, which will better serve all our
communities.
Increases individualized review of sentences
for those convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.
Ensures the dignity of women in prison
populations.
Your actions have and will continue to make a difference. Together, we call on Congress to support a strong and just Sentencing Reform and renewal of the Second Chance Act. You will make an immediate impact by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to be directed to your Senators and member of Congress and sharing a simple message urging them to pass this important legislation before Congress adjourns. Identify your representatives by clicking here, or see additional sample language at the ELCA Action Center.
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