The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced bipartisan legislation on Thursday that was coauthored by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to reform the federal prison system to reduce recidivism and rein in costs.
Portman and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced the Federal Prison Reform Act in response to growing prison populations and associated costs.
“This legislation builds on best practices from state and local governments developed through the Second Chance Act on how to reduce recidivism and provide drug treatment and mental health services to individuals in the federal corrections system,” Portman said. “By reducing recidivism, we not only save taxpayer dollars, but also help people leave behind their past mistakes and become productive members of society….”
The Second Chance Act was signed into law in 2008 in an effort to improve outcomes for people who return to communities after incarceration. The bill authorized grants to federal agencies and non-profit groups to support strategies and services to reduce recidivism.
“As a former state and federal prosecutor, I recognize that there are no easy solutions to overflowing prison populations and skyrocketing corrections spending,” Whitehouse said. “But states like Rhode Island have shown that it is possible to cut prison costs while making the public safer. When inmates are better prepared to re-enter communities, they are less likely to commit crimes after they are released.”
The Federal Prison Reform Act would require non-violent offenders to undergo regular risk assessments to determine the likelihood of reoffending. Lower-risk imamates would then be offered five- to 30-day time credits for completing recidivism reduction programs.
Inmates who exhibit good behavior and are deemed a low-risk to reoffend would be allowed to spend the final portion of their earned time credits on community supervision under the bill.
The measure would require no new authorized funding. Offenders who are convicted of violent crimes, sex crimes, terrorism, organized crime, major fraud and repeat offenders would not be allowed to participate.
Portman said he was encouraged by the committee’s support of the bill and encouraged the Senate to take swift action on the measure.