Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #FirstStepAct
Most recents (17)
Today we wanted to reframe our core work to better advance the values we care about, including fairness, rehabilitation, and community safety.
Some thoughts...
link.medium.com/sTwhuw2Uq9
Some thoughts...
link.medium.com/sTwhuw2Uq9
The feds and state govts are very good at locking people up. We have plenty of laws, especially mandatory sentencing laws and enhancements, to ensure that people spends lots of time in prison, especially when they have the temerity to exercise their right to trial.
What has been made painfully clear during the COVID-19 pandemic is that states don't have enough mechanisms to revisit lengthy sentences when appropriate, either because of an emergency, because the law has changed, or the person or their circumstances have changed.
I have to tell y’all something.
Last night I had an amazing conversation with my Black brother. He was living with me when Obama was elected the first time and since then we talk politics more openly than I do with most people IRL.
We talk all the time, but last night we had a long conversation...
We talk all the time, but last night we had a long conversation...
He is so frustrated and I get it. Watching the righteous movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd get hijacked by people who don’t give a shit about the Black community.
All of this destruction... and for what?
Will a single thing change?
We all want the same answers.
All of this destruction... and for what?
Will a single thing change?
We all want the same answers.
@ava PLEASE READ-A THREAD❗️Below is a photo from a #CherishTheDay scene. The Author of the book circled is @haveyoureadspud I told his story when I was on the @breakfastclubam @cthagod @angelayee @djenvy I want YOU to know that he wrote 14 books while serving time in prison 1/ 
2/ Spud served time as a 1st time non-violent offender due to the 90’s crime bill. He saved my life when I was a teenager so I stayed connected with him over the years during his time in prison, he is one of the reasons why I work so hard in politics on criminal justice reform.
3/ Spud is the reason why when I watched #WhenTheySeeUs I was NOT shocked by anything I saw because I already understood the pain & trauma associated with serving time. Because of him I spoke about mental health for inmates during my 2nd appearance on @breakfastclubam
Republicans & Democrats showed they can work together on #CJReform when they passed #FirstStepAct, which changed the national conversation on mass incarceration and reflects Americans’ hunger for a fairer and more effective system.
We need to continue that momentum. #SOTU
We need to continue that momentum. #SOTU
The #FirstStepAct is just that, a first step. More remains to be done to build a justice system that produces better outcomes—stronger public safety, more consistent justice, more equitably-distributed opportunity—and lives up to America’s ideals. #SOTU
Next steps as a nation also include local and state policies that address mass incarceration, which means tackling systems of probation/parole, fines and fees, and improving prison conditions. #SOTU
Thanks to President Trump, black Americans are making historic progress and enjoying growing opportunities. #DemDebate
President Trump recently announced that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with religious affiliations “will no longer be restricted from accessing federal funding.”
President Trump also signed the historic #FirstStepAct into law, which undid much of the damage from the Biden crime bill and created a “fairer justice system for all and enacted programs to reduce recidivism and make our communities safer.”
🔴PREMIERE 7pm ET on American Thought Leaders🇺🇸:
“It really is about what can we do… to assure that every man, woman, & child has a real shot at the American dream."
@realDonaldTrump’s innovation chief Brooke Rollins on working in the Trump @WhiteHouse
“It really is about what can we do… to assure that every man, woman, & child has a real shot at the American dream."
@realDonaldTrump’s innovation chief Brooke Rollins on working in the Trump @WhiteHouse
@realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse 🔴 PREMIERE at 7pm ET:
@realDonaldTrump’s innovation chief, Brooke Rollins, joins me on American Thought Leaders 🇺🇸
We discuss the First Step Act and immigration reform, and Brooke, a mother of four, shares what it’s like working in Trump’s @WhiteHouse.
@realDonaldTrump’s innovation chief, Brooke Rollins, joins me on American Thought Leaders 🇺🇸
We discuss the First Step Act and immigration reform, and Brooke, a mother of four, shares what it’s like working in Trump’s @WhiteHouse.
@realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse 🔴PREMIERE 7pm ET:
“I don't know that there has been another president with this senior of a team that has so many working moms…It's magical to be able to…work for this leader.”
@WhiteHouse innovation chief Brooke Rollins on American Thought Leaders🇺🇸
“I don't know that there has been another president with this senior of a team that has so many working moms…It's magical to be able to…work for this leader.”
@WhiteHouse innovation chief Brooke Rollins on American Thought Leaders🇺🇸
Celebrating historic prison reform that press and Democrats have managed to not discuss #FirstStepAct 🇺🇸
Oh that’s right he’s racist, totally forgot. Prison reform doesn’t fit that narrative too well but you do you Dems because everyone is walking away😉
What’s so confusing is @RepCummings pure hate for Kushner, who tirelessly worked to make #FirstStepAct a reality. Are you jealous Elijah?
There were two outstanding lines in @POTUS’s #SOTU address:
“America was founded on liberty and independence—not government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free, and we will stay free.”
“Great nations do not fight endless wars.”
“America was founded on liberty and independence—not government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free, and we will stay free.”
“Great nations do not fight endless wars.”
The president rightly denounced the destructive politics of partisanship. Unfortunately, he’s been anything but nonpartisan (see tweets). Americans deserve principled representation and honest policy debates, not politicians who incite suspicion, fear, and hatred of “the others.”
I’m pleased the president highlighted the importance of criminal justice reform, including passage of the #FirstStepAct. We need to do much more to reform the system at both the federal and state levels of government.
In anticipation of the State of the Union #SOTU Address (1/10):
1. This was a missed opportunity to to demote the #SOTU, which has devolved into a useless, monarchical spectacle. Should have mailed it in.
1. This was a missed opportunity to to demote the #SOTU, which has devolved into a useless, monarchical spectacle. Should have mailed it in.
In anticipation of the State of the Union #SOTU Address (2/10):
2. With the #FirstStepAct, @realDonaldTrump can tout a genuine, bipartisan, compassionate conservatism policy victory that enhances true civil justice & human flourishing. Will be great to see Matthew Charles there.
2. With the #FirstStepAct, @realDonaldTrump can tout a genuine, bipartisan, compassionate conservatism policy victory that enhances true civil justice & human flourishing. Will be great to see Matthew Charles there.
In anticipation of the State of the Union #SOTU Address (3/10):
3. Trump's tax reform has been a resounding success. CBO says tax cuts raised economic growth and job creation above the expected baseline, and got 20% revenue feedback.
bit.ly/2HUh1uT
3. Trump's tax reform has been a resounding success. CBO says tax cuts raised economic growth and job creation above the expected baseline, and got 20% revenue feedback.
bit.ly/2HUh1uT
Let’s be very clear, “taking a knee” is a protest against police killing of unarmed African Americans. Nothing in the recently passed #FirstStepAct says a word abt this. In fact the Trump Admin. decided that DOJ will no longer investigate unconstitutional policing practices.
Trump did not “take care if that.” Instead he celebrated rough treatment by police (“don’t be too nice”), allowed his DOJ to abandon investigations of systemic police brutality and misconduct, and pardoned a law enforcement ofcr (Sheriff Arpaio)engaged in racist, illegal conduct.
His AG even tried to scuttle a consemt decree entered into by the State of IL & the Chicago PD after that PD was sued by the state for unconstitutional policing. Just last week, a federal judge approved the consent decree (and ignored the Trump Admin’s attempted interference).
US Sentencing Commission put out this FAQ on the #FirstStepAct, thanks @SLandP #cjreform ussc.gov/sites/default/…
This seems to be pretty strong evidence that the #FirstStepAct will positively impact racial disparities 1) Fair Sentencing Act retroactivity
The Senate passed comprehensive criminal justice reform after years of effort. I proudly supported this bill, which reduces harsh mandatory minimums and helps prisoners prepare to return to their communities. #FirstStepAct
I sat on 5,000 felony cases as a member of the California Women’s Board of Terms and Parole, and I saw firsthand the importance of judicial discretion. The #FirstStepAct makes vital changes that give judges more flexibility to sentence below mandatory minimums.
The #FirstStepAct also addresses racial disparities in our criminal justice system by allowing ALL prisoners sentenced under the old, discriminatory crack cocaine laws to reduce their sentence. Previously this applied only to those sentenced after the 2010 law was enacted.
The First Step Act recognizes that helping federal inmates prepare for a successful life outside of prison can reduce recidivism and crime. Through the Joseph Project, I have witnessed formerly incarcerated individuals transform their lives when given work opportunities.
Like most legislation, the #FirstStepAct is not perfect, and provisions I hoped to see included were not adopted. Nevertheless, I believe the potential positives outweighed my concerns and I voted to support it.
It will be the responsibility of Congress to closely monitor the results of the law in the years ahead, and make modifications if necessary. #FirstStepAct #JosephProjectWI
Voted tonight for the #FirstStepAct, the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that just passed the Senate.
While this measure is not a cure-all for the problems that plague our criminal justice system, this is an overdue step to improve a system that still imprisons too many people – particularly people of color – for committing nonviolent crimes.
Instead, this bill will allow law enforcement to redirect taxpayer resources toward catching and punishing dangerous and violent criminals.
Thursday was a rough day for @realDonaldTrump --who needs new WH Counsel, tough, credentialed AG ASAP-- and for @SenateGOP, dysfunction over judicial nominees b/c of @JeffFlake and tied up on verge of approving a base-enraging #FirstStepAct.
The @SenateGOP thus is on the verge of getting exactly wrong their message from voters in winning a bigger Senate majority which was: Confirm more judges, stay tough on crime and national security; combat fentanyl outbreak, border issues like human trafficking.
The @SenateGOP will be haunted by #FirstStepAct for many cycles as early release for dealers/sex criminals becomes a recurring headline, and @JeffFlake is, astonishingly, going to make cruelty/indifference to originalist judicial nominees define his leaving and thus his tenure.
Thread:
An easy breakdown of why Tom Cotton is not only WRONG but Dangerously WRONG on the #FirstStepAct
1. The act is modeled after state reform that reduced recidivism. IE He is PREVENTING a bill that REDUCES crime and INCREASES public safety pewtrusts.org/en/research-an…
An easy breakdown of why Tom Cotton is not only WRONG but Dangerously WRONG on the #FirstStepAct
1. The act is modeled after state reform that reduced recidivism. IE He is PREVENTING a bill that REDUCES crime and INCREASES public safety pewtrusts.org/en/research-an…
2. Mr. Cotton likes to use scare-tactics, he says the #FirstStepAct will let "SCARY PEOPLE OUT"
But, these people will GET OUT ANYWAY, the question is HOW not IF they will return. Mr. Cotton is supporting "scary people" returning With NO programming nationalreview.com/2018/11/the-tr…
But, these people will GET OUT ANYWAY, the question is HOW not IF they will return. Mr. Cotton is supporting "scary people" returning With NO programming nationalreview.com/2018/11/the-tr…
3. In fact, for the people Mr. Cotton likes to fear-monger the most - remaining in prison WITHOUT PROGRAMMING is an INCUBATOR for RECIDIVISM. Again, Mr. Cotton is arguing, in essence, for MORE crime not less when he opposes the #FirstStepAct on these grounds
For years, our bipartisan group in @senjudiciary has been working on legislation to improve our criminal justice system. #FirstStepAct
We've agreed on ways to reform our counterproductive & costly sentencing practices & to adopt proven strategies for rehabilitating inmates to help them become productive members of society.
Our bill incorporates valuable lessons from states like #RhodeIsland, which are seeing real benefits of reform in lower numbers of repeat offenders, less criminal justice spending, and safer communities.
