Act Now! Urge your representative to pass sentencing reform

2 MIN READ
Reforming our nation's criminal justice system is critical to ending hunger and poverty in the United States.  Joseph Molieri/Bread for the World.

By Eric Mitchell

House Speaker Paul Ryan recently stated that “instead of locking people up, why don’t we unlock their potential?” We agree.

At the moment, Congress holds the key. Call (800-826-3688) or email your U.S. representative today. Tell your representative to pass bipartisan criminal justice legislation.

Unnecessarily long prison sentences, combined with the lack of rehabilitative programs for people in prison, exacerbate hunger, poverty, and existing inequalities.

As Congress returns from summer recess, it has limited time to pass needed criminal justice reform legislation. One way of unlocking potential is by passing bipartisan criminal justice legislation that reduces lengthy mandatory minimum sentences and expands opportunities for judges to determine appropriate and fair sentences.

Your representative needs to know that sentencing reform is a priority for voters in your state. Call (800-826-3688) or email your U.S. representative today and tell Congress to pass a bipartisan criminal justice package that includes sentencing reform.

God commands fair treatment for everybody (Leviticus 19:15), and mandatory minimums disproportionately affect people already struggling with hunger and poverty. Men and women made in God’s image shouldn’t be locked up for decades on end. That’s not how God treats us.

The window of opportunity is quickly closing. If House members do not express their support for criminal justice reform legislation soon, then leadership will not bring a vote to the floor this month. This will essentially eliminate any opportunity to see a bill signed into law this year.

Call (800-826-3688) or email your U.S. representative today and urge Congress to pass bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation!

Eric Mitchell is director of government relations at Bread for the World.

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