Dec 5, 2024 Story by: Editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have reintroduced the Second Look Act, aimed at addressing excessively long federal prison sentences. The legislation allows individuals who have served at least 10 years of a sentence longer than a decade to petition for release or sentence reduction, focusing on rehabilitated individuals no longer posing public safety risks.
“America’s justice system has overly relied on incarceration, ignoring rehabilitation,” said Kamlager-Dove. “Nearly one in five incarcerated Americans has served over 10 years, many unjustly punished under outdated policies.”
Senator Booker added, “Thousands remain incarcerated due to draconian War on Drugs policies. These sentences waste taxpayer money and fail to enhance public safety. This bill ensures eligible individuals receive a fair reassessment.”
The U.S. imprisons over 1.8 million people, with life sentences disproportionately affecting marginalized groups, especially women. Studies reveal long sentences fail to reduce crime, as older individuals pose minimal recidivism risk. The Second Look Act aims to reduce prison populations, addressing racial disparities and saving billions in taxpayer dollars annually.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Allowing individuals sentenced to over 10 years to petition for release after a decade.
- Presuming release for petitioners aged 50 or older, barring safety risks.
- Mandating judicial guidelines for sentence reviews.
- Requiring racial impact reports to ensure equitable reform.
The bill underscores the urgent need to address systemic sentencing inequities, prioritizing fairness and rehabilitation. Source: Kamlager Dove
