Infographic: How Prison Reform Works in the FIRST STEP Act

This infographic serves as a visual representation of the FIRST STEP Act’s prison reform provisions.

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Mass Incarceration

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This infographic contains a correction.

The FIRST STEP Act creates a system within the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) intended to provide those incarcerated with programs, education, and skills that will help them re-enter their communities after they have served their sentence. These re-entry programs are essential public health and safety strategies, since 95 percent of those incarcerated will eventually be released and return to their families. Thus, policymakers should look to expand—rather than restrict—incentives to participate in these programs.

This infographic details how the FIRST STEP Act’s prison reform provisions work and how the multiple layers embedded in the system ensure a person receives the services and programs they need to transition back into the community.

Ed Chung is the vice president for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center for American Progress. Bill Rapp is the art director at the Center. Maritza Perez is the senior policy analyst for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center. Lea Hunter is a research assistant for Criminal Justice Reform and Race and Ethnicity Policy at the Center.

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