WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Jason Lewis (MN-02) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the FIRST STEP Act, H.R. 5682, which aims to lower our prison systems’ recidivism rate by expanding rehabilitation programs for inmates to help them successfully reenter our communities.
“Comprehensive prison reform and overall criminal justice reform is long overdue and much-needed in our judiciary system. I’m proud to support the intentions in the FIRST STEP Act to increase the availability of rehabilitation programs for inmates, but that’s exactly what it is—a first step. Criminal justice reform has been a focal point of my policy work since coming to Washington. With over 4500 federal laws in place, we must address the over-federalization of our criminal code and sentencing reform in addition to expanding rehabilitation programs. That’s why I believe the House should also take-up the SAFE Justice Act and why we need to get the Juvenile Justice Reform Act signed into law.”
