Making Prisons Full Again?

Elections have consequences, and the election could dramatically harm our chances of achieving federal sentencing reform.

Let me explain why I say that — and why FAMM needs your help now more than ever to maintain the progress we’ve made.

First, President-elect Donald Trump said that in his first 100 days of office he wants to pass massive new federal mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders, which will require the government to spend billions on new prisons.

Second, he opposed recent successful sentencing reforms, such as the “drugs-minus-two” guideline reductions that FAMM helped win in 2014. Those reductions gave more than 29,000 prisoners fairer sentences and saved American taxpayers $2 billion — but Trump described the nonviolent offenders who benefited as “dangerous drug-trafficking felons and gang members who prey on civilians.” He said that “every single one of them will be back selling drugs.”

Finally, the man Trump has nominated for U.S. Attorney General is an individual who opposes even modest sentencing reform. That may explain soaring private prison stock prices.

FAMM does not support or oppose any political candidates, and that applies to Trump. But we do oppose bad ideas. Proposing new mandatory minimums, opposing modest reform to the federal sentencing guidelines, and opposing bipartisan legislative reform are bad ideas.

We need to fight these bad ideas — and we need your help to wage this fight. Please donate to FAMM today.

Sincerely,

Kevin Ring
Vice President

P.S. Remember: Every donation received between now and December 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by another generous FAMM contributor. So, please make your donation today!