U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Cory Booker came together on the Senate floor to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation aimed at making the justice system fairer and communities safer. The First Step Act, signed into law by former President Donald Trump in December 2018, was the result of the collaborative efforts of Durbin, Booker, and Senators Chuck Grassley and Mike Lee.
Durbin expressed his satisfaction with the passage of the First Step Act, stating, "The First Step Act passed the House and Senate by overwhelming bipartisan majorities and was supported by a broad coalition from across the political spectrum, including former President Donald Trump who signed it into law. I was proud to champion this landmark legislation with the help of Senators Booker, Grassley, and Lee. It took months of bipartisan negotiation and painful compromise. But the net result was a historic victory that significantly improved our system of justice."
During his speech, Durbin shared the story of Eugenia Jennings from Alton, Illinois, highlighting the need for criminal justice reform. Jennings, who had a difficult childhood and started using drugs to cope, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for a nonviolent offense. Despite being a model prisoner, she developed leukemia while incarcerated. Durbin personally advocated for her release, and although she was able to witness her eldest daughter's high school graduation, she tragically passed away less than two years later. This experience fueled Durbin's determination to correct the flaws in the justice system.
Durbin emphasized the success of the First Step Act, stating, "Of the 29,944 incarcerated adults released under First Step Act reforms through January 2023, only 12.4 percent have been arrested for new crimes. By comparison, the overall BOP recidivism rate currently stands at around 43 percent." He also highlighted the significant number of retroactive sentence reductions and compassionate release motions that have been granted.
However, Durbin acknowledged that more work needs to be done. He stated, "To keep making our justice system fairer and our communities safer, we must continue reforming our outdated sentencing laws and providing opportunities for those who are incarcerated to successfully return." Durbin also emphasized the need for smarter sentencing and a comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse.
In his concluding remarks, Durbin urged Congress to take further steps towards more just criminal sentences and wiser responses to the crisis of substance abuse in America. He emphasized the importance of understanding addiction as a medical situation rather than just a curse in a person's life.
Durbin's efforts to improve the criminal justice system extend beyond the First Step Act. He has introduced several bills, including the Safer Detention Act, the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act, the Smarter Sentencing Act, and the First Step Implementation Act. These bills aim to expand compassionate release programs, end unjust practices, lower mandatory sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, and advance the goals of the First Step Act.
As the fifth anniversary of the First Step Act is celebrated, it serves as a reminder of the progress made in reforming the criminal justice system. However, there is still much more work to be done to ensure fairness and safety in communities across the United States.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/releases/durbin-booker-celebrate-fifth-anniversary-of-the-first-step-act-on-senate-floor
