Search results for First Step Act

Second of one-two punch by Nebraska lawmaker to boosting youth reentry sees no pushback

LINCOLN — A plan aimed at improving the chances of Nebraska youth successfully reentering their communities after a stint in state custody sailed Thursday to its next lawmaking ste...

Ohio bill would ease re-entry struggles for formerly incarcerated people

April is recognized nationally as Second Chance Month, and on Wednesday, lawmakers of both parties participated in an event hosted by the Ohio Justice & Policy Center highlight...

Beshear ceremonially signs legislation to establish Kentucky's first inmate reentry campus

Gov. Andy Beshear ceremonially signed HB5 on Monday, providing "the framework to create Kentucky’s first reentry campus, focused on increasing public safety and boosting the state’...

Criminal Justice Reform Isn’t Dead

Maryland's Youth Charging Reform Act signed into law

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has signed the Youth Charging Reform Act, which will greatly reduce the number of offenses that automatically land kids in adult courts — including gun and...

Reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug might only be the first step for Trump

A new administrative hearing slated for the end of June could result in the reclassification of marijuana more broadly, granting tax and other benefits to state-licensed recreation...

New York advocates, lawmakers push sentencing reform

Thomas Gant joins Capital Tonight.

Susan Stanton, Alvin Thomas and David Pate: Commuting Wisconsin life prison sentences needs reentry process

For prisoners who demonstrate rehabilitation and growth, new orders create an opportunity for a second chance. But more reforms are needed to ensure people who are released are not...

Reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug might only be the first step for Trump

SEATTLE (AP) — President Donald Trump’s decision to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug is a boon for the industry: It gives dispensaries a big tax...

Cargo Theft Bill Takes Important Step Forward

Supporters of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act say the legislation is poised to clear Congress, with backing from much of the House, Senate and Trump.

New Wisconsin law aims to improve health of incarcerated people re-entering society 

Under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Tony Evers, Wisconsin will seek health care coverage from the federal government for certain services for incarcerated people.  A statement fr...

Groups work to recognize issues formerly incarcerated people face

Nonprofits are taking these small steps are making a huge difference in the thousands of lives reentering society.

US: Allow Those With Felony Convictions to Vote

Click to expand Image Spellman Bernard Smith, Jr., 78, center, stands in line with other...

For Women Leaving Prison, Education Can Be a Way Out

Standing at the bottom of the steps at Tulane University, waiting for her name to be called, Stephanie King took a deep breath. At 63, after nearly three decades in prison, she was...

Evers’ commutation orders trigger sense of urgency for people in prison, advocates 

Gov. Tony Evers issued two executive orders this month that make the commutation of prison sentences available again in Wisconsin. Executive Order 287, creating the Governor’s Comm...

Women's Clemency Initiative - A Report on Liberating Long-Serving Women

Women's Clemency Initiative - A Report on Liberating Long-Serving Women jkrieg@afsc.org Tue, 05/05/2026 - 11:52 Featured Image Image...

How Evers' plan to issue commutations works

Gov. Tony Evers is creating an advisory panel to recommend commutations, a ‘form of executive clemency that reduces an individual’s punishment — most often by shortening a prison s...

SAF Applauds DOJ Announcement of ATF ‘New Era of Reform’

SAF’s Adam Kraut attended a DOJ/ATF announcement of 34 rules. Acting AG Todd Blanche rescinded stabilizing brace and “engaged in business” rules, and outlined updates to Form 4473,...

Kentucky launches first reentry campus to support inmates returning to society

Kentucky creates its first reentry campus, offering job training and support to inmates preparing for release.

Changes in Federal Policy Addressing Student Discipline

On April 23, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order #14280 (EO 14280), “Reinstating Commonsense School Discipline Policies.” This order directs the U.S. Department of Educati...

After 25 years, Gov. Evers announces commutations will be available in Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that he had signed two executive orders to begin offering commutations, a reduction of a criminal sentence by the governor’s authority to grant cle...

KU Center Helps Women Gain Foothold After Incarceration

A flier from her probation officer was the turning point for Jodi Whitt, who had spent more than two decades in and out of the criminal justice system. The piece of paper introduce...

Evers restores prison commutation process in Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers restores Wisconsin’s prison commutation process after 30 years, creating a review board and new path for youth offenders. The post Evers restores prison commutation...

Congressman Schmidt bill to strengthen police background checks passes House

The Act is supported by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.