Ask your member of Congress to support H.R. 3713, the Sentencing Reform Act.
Background: Decades of overly harsh sentences, particularly mandatory minimums, have led to a dramatic increase in the incarcerated population in the U.S. Our country now incarcerates more people than any other in the world. Unfair sentences have affected millions of families across the country.
The Sentencing Reform Act will limit some mandatory minimums, and will provide relief for people in prison under older, harsher laws that did not receive the benefits of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. If passed, this bipartisan bill would be the first time in history that Congress reduced mandatory minimums in any way. The Sentencing Reform Act can be an important first step on the road towards a criminal justice system that is truly just.
However, there is not much time left! Congress only has a few short weeks left to pass this legislation. The House needs to move soon to bring about these much-needed reforms. Please write to your member of Congress to ask him/her to pass this bill as quickly as possible. We must not let this opportunity pass us by!
Faith Reflection: “Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them.” (Hebrews 13:3)
Action: Urge your member of Congress to support H.R. 3713, the Sentencing Reform Act.
Alert prepared by Joshua Russell, Legislative Assistant and Communications Coordinator, September 8, 2016.
The MCC U.S. Washington Office High School Essay Contest is accepting entries until Jan. 27, 2017. Encourage Anabaptist youth to participate.
