Reed, Curbelo, Problem Solvers Caucus support sweeping prison reform bill

With a little help from their colleagues, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, and U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), a member of the bipartisan caucus, plan to fast track a bill aimed at decreasing America’s prison population via rehabilitation and education that prevents individuals from re-entering the system.

The Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed, Safely Transitioning Every Person (FIRST STEP) Act, H.R. 5682, has garnered the support of the full 48-member group, the lawmakers said on May 18.

“Prison reform shouldn’t be a Republican or Democrat issue, and today the Problem Solvers Caucus took another step forward in breaking the gridlock in Washington,” Rep. Reed said. “As a caucus, we are working together to legislate and govern to make a positive impact on our communities.”

“I’m proud to support this bipartisan proposal to bring some much needed reform to our criminal justice system,” said Rep. Curbelo.

The bipartisan H.R. 5682, introduced by Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), would authorize $50 million per year for five years to develop programs related to education, vocational training and mental health counseling to help lower recidivism among newly released prisoners, among other provisions, according to the congressional record.

Rep. Curbelo is among the 19 cosponsors of H.R. 5682, as are U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Tom Marino (R-PA).

“We need to find ways to reduce recidivism and provide those who have paid their debt to society an opportunity to fully participate in our communities when they return. This legislation is a step toward that goal,” Rep. Curbelo said.

“The current prison system is not fair for those released or the neighborhoods they return to,” added Rep. Reed. “I care about rehabilitating our nation’s prison population so that when they re-enter society they can make a positive impact on their communities.”

Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) pointed out in a joint statement with Rep. Reed that both Democrats and Republicans agree America’s “current prison system must be reformed.”

“We waste massive amounts of money on strategies that make our communities less, not more safe,” the congressman said. “We need to stop the revolving door into prisons, reduce recidivism, and save taxpayers money.”

The Problem Solvers Caucus is committed to working across both sides of the aisle “to break through the gridlock and find common-sense solutions to our toughest challenges issues — and prison reform is a perfect example,” he said.

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on May 9 received H.R. 5682 for consideration, held a markup session the same day, and voted to approve the bill, 25-5.