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FAMM is a national, nonprofit organization working for fair and proportionate sentencing laws.

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Report Finds Substantial Cost Savings in Modest Mandatory Sentencing Reforms

FAMM says money should be invested in programs that reduce crimeFAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) news release:  WASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM general counsel, Mary Price, said a new nonpartisan report published today shows that modest mandatory minimum sentencing law reform could save billions of taxpayer dollars, funding which would be better spent on federal programs and personnel that target violent crime. The report, published by the Urban Institute, provides conservative estimates of financial savings that could be achieved by several proposals pending in Congress, including the

New Bill Shows Sentencing Reform has Bipartisan Support, Momentum in Both Houses of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM president Julie Stewart today hailed the introduction of yet another bipartisan sentencing reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Raul Labrador (R-ID) and Bobby Scott (D-VA). The bill, the Smarter Sentencing Act, shows that fixing federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws is growing in importance for both Houses of Congress and both parties. The House bill is identical to its Senate counterpart, S. 1410 , sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Mike Lee (R-

FAMM: Reform Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws, Witnesses Tell Senate Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2013 Contact:  Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org (mpratt@famm.org) WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At a packed public hearing of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, a former federal prosecutor and the director of a conservative criminal justice reform group called on U.S. Senators to roll back federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. These witnesses told committee members that one-size-fits-all penalties do more harm than good, a message confirmed by the dozens of FAMM members who traveled from across the country to attend the hearing. “Today’s

FAMM Applauds Justice Department’s Call for Sentencing Reform, Changes in Prosecutorial Practices and Compassionate Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org or 202-822-6700 WASHINGTON, DC – FAMM president Julie Stewart today welcomed the U.S. Justice Department’s proposals for reforming federal criminal sentencing laws and prosecutorial charging practices. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Department’s proposed reforms in a speech to the American Bar Association today in San Francisco. “For the past 40 years, the Department of Justice, under both political parties, has promoted mandatory minimum sentencing like a one-way ratchet. Federal

Same Level of Safety for a Half-Billion Less Taxpayer Dollars

FAMM President Reacts to New Crack Guideline Retroactivity ReportFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2013 Contact: Molly M. Gill, mgill@famm.org or 202-822-6700 WASHINGTON, DC -- FAMM President Julie Stewart released the following statement today in reaction to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s latest Preliminary Crack Retroactivity Data report : Consider for a moment how proud members of Congress would be if they used the best available evidence

Upcoming Hearing on Justice Safety Valve Act Signals Growing Commitment to Reforming Mandatory Sentences, Says FAMM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2013 Contact: Molly M. Gill, mgill@famm.org or 202-822-6700 WASHINGTON, DC – FAMM government affairs counsel Molly M. Gill reacted today to news from U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that the Committee will hold a hearing on S. 619, the Justice Safety Valve Act, sponsored by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Chairman Leahy, in September 2013: “As case  after case 

Dozens of Former Federal Prosecutors Endorse Mandatory Minimum Reform

Support Grows for Justice Safety Valve ActFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 17, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org (mpratt@famm.org) or (202) 822-6700 WASHINGTON, DC -- A group of more than 50 former federal prosecutors and judges today sent a letter to Capitol Hill endorsing the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013, legislation that authorizes judges to depart from a mandatory minimum sentence in cases where the minimum is not necessary to protect public safety and would be unjust given the facts and circumstances of the crime and defendant. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and

U.S. Supreme Court Decides Alleyne v. United States: Only Jury Can Find Facts that Trigger Mandatory Minimums

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2013 CONTACT: Monica Pratt Raffanel, (202) 822-6700 or monica@famm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. Supreme Court shook up mandatory minimum sentencing, extending the protection of the Sixth Amendment’s right to trial by jury to all defendants facing enhanced mandatory minimum sentences. In Alleyne v. United States, a 5-4 majority held that any fact that triggers any mandatory minimum sentence is an “element” of the crime and must be proven to a jury by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Until today, a judge who found that certain facts had

FAMM Says: Look in the Mirror, Congress

For Immediate Release: June 14, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org   WASHINGTON, D.C. -- FAMM President Julie Stewart released the following statement this morning as the new bipartisan Task Force on Overcriminalization in the U.S. House of Representatives kicked off its first hearing:   When I learned first learned that House Judiciary Committee leaders planned to create the new Overcriminalization Task Force, I was cautiously optimistic. I appreciate that members of Congress seem to recognize that the growing number of federal crimes has gotten out of hand. I am

Don't Appeal Crack Fairness Ruling, FAMM Tells Justice Department

For Immediate Release May 17, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, (202) 822-6700 or media@famm.org WASHINGTON, DC -- FAMM President Julie Stewart strongly urged the U.S. Department of Justice to let stand today’s decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in which a majority ruled that the Fair Sentencing Act should be applied retroactively. The case is US v. Blewett , No. 12-5226 (6th Cir. May 17, 2013). The Fair Sentencing Act (FSA), enacted in 2010, reduced the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine

Dramatic Mismanagement in Federal Prison Compassionate Release Program: Findings Confirm Human Rights Watch-FAMM Criticisms of BOP Program

For Immediate Release May 1, 2013 Contact: Mary Price, mprice@famm.org or Jamie Fellner jamie.fellner@hrw.org WASHINGTON, DC -- After conducting a comprehensive review of the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) compassionate release program, the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has concluded that the BOP “does not properly manage” the program, “resulting in inmates who may be eligible candidates for release not being considered.”Citing “multiple failures” that lead to “ad-hoc” decision-making, the OIG report  released

FAMM Applauds Bipartisan Sentencing “Safety Valve” Bill in U.S. House of Representatives

For Immediate Release April 24, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM President Julie Stewart today welcomed the introduction of H.R. 1695, the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013, a bipartisan federal bill that would save taxpayers money and preserve scarce federal prison beds for the most dangerous and violent offenders. The bill creates a “safety valve” that allows federal courts to impose sentences below the mandatory minimum sentence under specific conditions.  The legislation was introduced on April 24 by Representative Robert C. “Bobby”

FAMM President Urges Passage of Safety Valve in Appearance Before Congress

For Immediate Release: March 21, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, (202) 822-6700 or media@famm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – Testifying this morning before the U.S. House subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Prisons (BOP), FAMM President Julie Stewart urged Congress to enact a broad sentencing “safety valve” in order to cut wasteful spending and reduce prison overcrowding.  Yesterday, Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced S. 619, “The Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013,”

FAMM Welcomes Bipartisan Sentencing “Safety Valve” Bill in Congress, Releases New Report on How Safety Valves Help States

For Immediate Release: March 20, 2013 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM President Julie Stewart today hailed the introduction of The Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013 (S. 619), a bipartisan federal bill that would save taxpayer dollars by reserving scarce federal prison beds for the most dangerous offenders. The bill creates a “safety valve” that allows federal courts to impose sentences below the mandatory minimum sentence under specific conditions.  The legislation was introduced on March 20 by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chair of the Senate

Happy Anniversary, Michigan Reforms:

Ten Years After Major Sentencing Reform Victory, Michigan Residents SaferFor Immediate Release: March 1, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- FAMM President Julie Stewart today marked the 10th anniversary of Michigan’s decision to throw out the state’s drug mandatory minimum sentencing laws by noting that Michigan residents are safer now and are spending less to incarcerate nonviolent drug offenders. “Michigan’s experience is a powerful lesson for other states considering sentencing reform. Twenty years after adopting draconian mandatory minimum drug sentences, Michigan leaders recognized that

FAMM Reacts to Justice Department Report: Pardon Attorney Acted Improperly in Aaron Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date:  December 18, 2012 Contact:  Monica Pratt Raffanel, mpratt@famm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM President Julie Stewart today said she felt “maddened but validated” by a report confirming serious misconduct by the Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA) in its handling of the clemency request of federal prisoner Clarence Aaron, a first-time, nonviolent drug offender serving life without parole.  The report, issued by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice, concludes that current pardon attorney Ronald L. Rodgers engaged in “conduct

FROM FEDERAL PRISONER TO GEORGIA LAWYER: CLEMENCY RECIPIENT SERENA NUNN SHOWS THE VALUE OF SECOND CHANCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  DATE: November 3, 2012 CONTACT: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org ATLANTA – When she was 19 years-old, Serena Nunn was arrested and later convicted as a minor participant in a drug conspiracy and received a 15-year federal mandatory minimum prison sentence, despite being a first-time, nonviolent offender.  In 2000, after serving 11 years behind bars, Serena’s sentence was commuted by President William J. Clinton and she was given a rare second chance at freedom. The governor of Minnesota, where Serena had been raised, and the sentencing judge, supported

Conservative Faith Leaders Join FAMM and Justice Fellowship in Exploring Christian Perspectives on Crime

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2012 Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, FAMM, (202) 822-6700 or media@famm.org                 Contact: Elisabeth Boehm, Justice Fellowship, (703) 703-554-8552 or Elisabeth_Boehm@pfm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM and Justice Fellowship (the advocacy arm of Prison Fellowship Ministries) hosted a panel briefing on Capitol Hill today to discuss a biblical approach to crime and punishment and why conservative Christian constituents are engaging in this debate. The standing-room-only event took place against the backdrop of national concern about

FAMM Welcomes Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Reforms

Parts of new law build on 2010 drug sentencing reformsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: July 31, 2012 Contact: Barbara J. Dougan, bdougan@famm.org BOSTON: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) welcomes the reforms to mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws that are part of the sentencing bill that Gov. Deval Patrick has agreed to sign into law.  The new law includes reforms that FAMM has supported for years: limiting the state’s “school zone” law and making some drug offenders now in prison eligible for the same reentry opportunities – parole, work release and earned good time – that

FAMM Applauds Mass. Governor’s Amendment to Sentencing Bill

Urges Legislature to Allow Limited Judicial Discretion in “3 Strikes” CasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 28, 2012Contact: Barbara J. Dougan (617) 543-0878 or Monica Pratt Raffanel (202) 822-6700 BOSTON:  Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) applauds Gov. Deval Patrick for sending the sentencing bill back to the Legislature with a “judicial discretion” amendment.  The amendment would allow judges to make an habitual offender sentenced to a maximum term of imprisonment eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of the sentence (or after 25 years for life sentences) when it is

FAMM Applauds Mandatory Minimum Reforms in Legislature’s Sentencing Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 19, 2012Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org BOSTON:  Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) applauds the reforms to mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws that are part of the sentencing bill passed by the House on July 18 and by the Senate today.  The bill, H.4286, includes reforms that FAMM has supported for years:  reforming the state’s “school zone” law and making some drug offenders now in prison eligible for the same reentry opportunities – parole, work release and earned good time – that are available to most other prisoners.

FAMM “Very Encouraged” About Obama Administration’s Response to Pardon Office Criticism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate:  July 18, 2012Contact: media@famm.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – FAMM President Julie Stewart today said she was “very encouraged” after a news story revealed that the Obama administration is reviewing the broken process for obtaining federal clemency. According to the story  by ProPublica investigative reporter Dafna Linzer, “Officials said there has been growing interest inside the White House for reforming the pardon process, specifically how recommendations are made to the

FAMM to State Attorney: “Leave Ronald Thompson Alone”

After Court Grants Disabled Vet New Trial, Sentencing Group Urges State to Dismiss CaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 26, 2012Contact: Monica Pratt Raffanel, media@famm.org GAINESVILLE, FL – FAMM Florida Project Director Greg Newburn today said he hopes that today’s decision by Judge John H. Lester to grant Ronald Thompson a new trial and remain free pending trial will convince state prosecutors to dismiss the case against the 65-year-old, fully disabled veteran. Thompson was sentenced in 2010 to serve 20 years under Florida’s 10-20-Life gun law. FAMM learned of Mr. Thompson’s unjust

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