Bishop says First Step Act brings needed criminal justice reform

804 0

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The nation’s criminal justice system “is in need of reform” and the First Step Act “is a worthy ‘first step’ in the right direction,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

In a Dec. 20 statement, he called the measure and support for it “a model of bipartisan collaboration and good policymaking.”

“As we approach the Nativity of our Lord, we are reminded of the need to promote justice and mercy in our society,” he said.

Bishop Dewane praised the Senate for passing the bill 87-12 in a vote late Dec. 18 and also urged the House “to do likewise.” House members overwhelmingly approved the Senate version in 358-36 vote Dec. 20. President Donald Trump signed the measure into law Dec. 21.

In his statement, the bishop outlined some of the provisions of the First Step Act that he said would bring “much-needed reforms for the federal prison system.”

Those include: sentencing reform for those incarcerated; strongly limiting the practice of shackling pregnant women in prison; establishing a maximum geographical distance between prisoners and their families; enhancing compassionate release for terminally ill and elderly prisoners; assisting those returning to society with obtaining government identification documents; and fixing the “time credit” system, meaning credits prisoners receive for good behavior and/or time served.

The bill also reauthorizes the Second Chance Act to provide important resources for those re-entering society after their release from prison, the bishop noted.

It also does not exclude religious groups from being among the organizations that can provide recidivism-reducing programs for all federal prisoners.

The First Step Act has been criticized by its opponents for, among other things, failing to to more to address sentencing reforms to reduce the number of people being sent to prison in the first place and only applying to the federal prison system. About 87 percent of all prisoners are held in state facilities.

Related Post

Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis and Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, pose for a photo during a pre-synod gathering of youth delegates in Rome March 19. A new document from the International Theological Commission explores the pope's call for the church to be "synodal" and emphasizes the role of the laity in the mission of the church. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Theologians call for regular consultation of laity in church decisions

Posted by - May 13, 2018 0
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church needs to seek the input, commitment and talents of all of its members…
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., chair of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty, speaks during a religious freedom event July 30 at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington. Among others also pictured are, closest to the podium, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Religious liberty ‘rooted in dignity of human person,’ says archbishop

Posted by - August 4, 2018 0
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, gave three reasons why religious freedom is important to the…
In this 2015 file photo, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y., is seen at the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. He was one of several bishops who joined 300 Hispanic Catholic lay leaders at the Region II encuentro June 22-24 in Albany. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Focus on family ministry must be among church’s priorities, say delegates

Posted by - July 7, 2018 0
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) — One focus at the Region II encuentro in Albany June 22-24 was a need for the…