Project for Opportunity and Safety

"There are over 2 million people in our prisons. Many of them are not hardened criminals. They’re not violent. A lot of them are just people who made a mistake. I think we need to let more people earn a second chance at life. Instead of locking people up, why don’t we unlock their potential?"

“…our organization feels the latest version of the bill strikes the appropriate balance between targeting the highest level drug traffickers plaguing our communities, while simultaneously decreasing crime rates and addressing the burgeoning prison population.”

“Our experience has shown us that the country can reduce crime while also reducing unnecessary arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration. We believe the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act will accomplish this goal and respectfully urge you to support it.”

“Congress has the opportunity to rationalize our criminal justice policies and reform sentencing for individuals who pose the least risk. Reform is imperative, not just for its economic or budgetary benefits, but for individuals who deserve a second chance and the families and communities who stand beside them.”

“If our prison policies are failing half of the time, and we know that there are more humane, effective alternatives, it is time to fundamentally rethink how we treat and rehabilitate our prisoners.”

“These reforms can set those who have committed low-level offenses on the right path to turn their lives around. Policies like these are being considered on the federal level and we urge our members of Congress use New York steps as an example of reform.”

“The driving force behind our successes have been conservative victories in reforming the justice system in red states with Republican governors and legislatures… Liberals are following along but they did not forge this path.”

“This legislation is modeled after successful Texas reforms that have rehabilitated prisoners, reduced crime rates, and saved taxpayer dollars. This bipartisan package will protect law enforcement’s ability to aggressively target violent criminals and serious offenders, while focusing on justice, rehabilitation, and public safety.”

“Reforming our federal criminal justice system doesn’t require us to avert our eyes from a person’s crimes, or make excuses that blame someone, or something else for the choices he made. No, it requires looking squarely at the facts of the case, no matter how ugly or wicked; holding offenders directly and personally accountable for their crimes; and devising a punishment that fits both the crime and the criminal.”

“It’s the product of thoughtful bipartisan deliberation, and I thank my colleagues for their hard work to promote opportunities to reduce recidivism while protecting our communities from violent career criminals.”

“We maintain the tools law enforcement needs to continue making sure that the worst drug traffickers and violent criminals stay off of our streets. We also provide flexibility in sentencing for those offenders that deserve it.”

“The House Judiciary Committee has been hard at work on a number of bills to improve our nation’s criminal justice system and I am pleased that we have reached a bipartisan solution to reform federal sentencing requirements.”