(FBOP) - December 21 this year marks the 5th anniversary of the First Step Act (FSA) of 2018, a historic law that has improved criminal justice outcomes, reduced the size of the federal prison system population, and helped thousands of Adults in Custody (AIC) and their families. The FSA also included both correctional and sentencing reforms.
The First Step Act was a bipartisan effort to make our criminal justice system more fair, effective, compassionate, and humane while also creating mechanisms to maintain public safety. It provided the Federal Bureau of Prisons with tools to assess the risk and needs of AIC to offer programs and activities that reduce recidivism and provide eligible AIC the opportunity to earn time credits towards pre-release custody. The FSA also expanded options for release and home confinement, and improved conditions for pregnant and elderly AIC.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive. Nearly 4,000 Fair Sentencing/Retroactive Sentence Reductions, more than 4,600 Compassionate Releases/Reduction in Sentences, nearly 1,250 Elderly Offenders approved for home confinement, and an amazing 26,621 FSA releases! But more important than the numbers are the people and families that have benefited from the FSA and their stories of change, redemption, and hope.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is proud of the work accomplished implementing the First Step Act. Including the support and collaboration of our partners and stakeholders, the dedication and hard work of our employees, and the courage and resilience of the AIC and their families.
But rest assured, our work is not done. The FSA was exactly that, a first step. We still have many challenges to face and opportunities to explore as we work diligently to improve the Federal Bureau of Prisons, our programs, our partnerships, our employees and the lives of those in our custody. We are committed to continuing this work, learning from our experiences, adapting to the changes, and advancing the goals and values of the FSA.
Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of the past five years. Tomorrow, we look forward to the change the next five years will bring. And every day, we continue to strive to be the model correctional agency of the world.