CAP’s Carmel Martin Reacts to Senate Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act Introduction
Washington, D.C. — Following the introduction of the Senate’s bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which is aimed at recalibrating prison sentences for certain drug offenders, targeting violent criminals, granting judges greater discretion in sentencing for lower-level drug crimes, and helping prisoners successfully re-enter society, Carmel Martin, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Mass incarceration is a major driver of poverty and inequality in this country with consequences that affect us all. Between 70 million and 100 million Americans have a criminal record. A criminal history carries lifelong barriers that can block successful participation in society, with severe implications not only for the millions of individuals who are prevented from moving on with their lives and becoming productive citizens but also for their families, communities, and the national economy.
We applaud the Senate’s effort to craft a bipartisan criminal justice reform measure that addresses some of the principle drivers of mass incarceration. We look forward to examining the legislation and continuing to work with our partners to achieve meaningful reforms that keep us safe and ensure that the justice system is fair and affords individuals with criminal records a second chance.
Center for American Progress experts are available to speak on this topic. For more information, please contact Tanya S. Arditi at tarditi@americanprogress.org or 202.741.6258.
Related resources:
- One Strike and You’re Out: How We Can Eliminate Barriers to Economic Security and Mobility for People with Criminal Records by Rebecca Vallas and Sharon Dietrich
- 4 Ideas That Could Begin to Reform the Criminal Justice System and Improve Police-Community Relations by Michele L. Jawando and Chelsea Parsons
- Poverty and Opportunity Profile: Americans with Criminal Records by Half in Ten and The Sentencing Project
- All Pennsylvanians Will Benefit from a Clean Slate Policy for Minor Criminal Records
- Event: Toward a More Perfect Union: Bringing Criminal Justice Reform to Our Communities
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