|
To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE
Congress Takes a Second Look at Second Chances: Christians are "Singing its Praises""The Prison Reform and Redemption Act will expand and improve the delivery of prison programming, allowing men and women in our federal prisons to return home better prepared to give back to their families and communities at their highest potential." -Heather Rice-Minus, VP of Government Affairs for Prison Fellowship
The Prison Reform and Redemption Act co-sponsored by Congressman Doug Collins, R-GA, and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY hopes to cut down on federal recidivism rates. So what's in the proposal? • Expansion of prison programs and earned time credit opportunities through the use of the Bureau of Prison's sponsored anti-recidivism programs, drug rehabilitation and work training. • Risk assessment by the DOJ in which the department decides the best programming for each prisoner. • Incentives for program completion including increased phone privileges and the chance to serve remaining time in halfway housing. The bill will use faith-based organizations to help in the efforts. According to Christian ministry Prison Fellowship, about 40,000 federal prisoners will be released this year and nearly 20,000 will return within the next three years. "The revolving door of criminal justice is devastating to families and depresses economic activity in many communities," Heather Rice- Minus, VP of Government Affairs for Prison Fellowship told CBN News. She supports the bill and is hopeful about its potential. "The Prison Reform and Redemption Act will expand and improve the delivery of prison programming, allowing men and women in our federal prisons to return home better prepared to give back to their families and communities at their highest potential," said Rice-Minus. Christian ministries such as Prison Fellowship have had success in changing re-entry statistics by working with prisoners in areas such as job training and spiritual mentoring. The Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative, another Christian ministry boasts a recidivism rate of 11% while the national average sits at 52%. Under the House version of the bill, people convicted of 48 different categories including homicide, child exploitation, sexual abuse, kidnapping and treason are ineligible for credit towards prerelease. Critics say that list is too broad. According to Politico, the House version has the backing of both the White House and the Department of Justice. White House Advisor Jared Kushner is leading the effort to bridge the gap and keep the bill moving through the Senate. However, the NAACP says the measure doesn't go far enough when it comes to addressing mandatory minimum sentences and it stops short of a bill introduced by GOP Senator Chuck Grassley last year. That bill would get rid of some mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug related offenses. However, CNN commentator and criminal justice reform advocate Van Jones writes, "There is still some room for progress. My big heartache—on this topic and so many others—is how much common ground there is when you get people talking—and yet how little we actually do about it. Taking a small but meaningful step together now could allow us to take more steps together later." The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote April 25.
To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE
Other Recent Articles from Breaking Christian News Ancient Beams Offer New Evidence of the First Temple's Destruction New Visa Restrictions Target Left-Wing Terrorists and Extremists Trump Ramps up Military Pressure on Iran's Regime, Targeting Area Near Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site Epic Fail: Mamdani Finally Makes Humiliating Admission About His Threat to Arrest Netanyahu How China Made and Shipped Fake Driver's Licenses to Tamper With the 2020 Election Andy Biggs Dominates Arizona Race DSA Unveils Platform Calling for Abolishing the Senate, Presidency, and Supreme Court 6,600 Non-Citizens Registered to Vote in NJ Due to 'Software Error,' Dem Gov. Sherrill Admits Trump Education Department Defends Homeschool Parents from Hateful, Woke Podcasters House Committee Approves Bill Allowing Victims of 'Trans' Drugs, Surgeries to Sue Oregon's Troubling Transgender Story; Why Are They Pumping Minors Full of Puberty Blockers? Trump Admin Launches 'Largest Denaturalization Effort Ever' Against Child Molesters and Scammers State Department Issues Worldwide Caution for Traveling US Citizens Second Family Welcomes Their New Baby Boy About Those Burn Bags President Trump Mentioned in His Address to the Nation Search the Articles Archives |
All articles on this site and emails from BCN are copyrighted property of Breaking Christian News. Permission is given to link to, or share a BCN story if proper attribution is given to both the original writer and summarizer of the story. Breaking Christian News 2005-2019. All Rights Reserved.
Breaking Christian News is a division of Elijah List Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: Articles and links, as well as the source articles linked to; do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Breaking Christian News.
| Home | Store | Subscribe | Facebook | Article Archive |