Justice Action Network Statement on President Trump Highlighting Criminal Justice Reform During SOTU Address

Syrita Bowen News, Press

Second Chances Garner Rare Bipartisan Applause Tonight, Holly Harris, executive director and president of the Justice Action Network, the country’s largest organization focused on bipartisan criminal justice reform solutions at the federal and state level, issued the following statement in response to President Trump highlighting criminal justice reform in his State of the Union Address: “President Trump made a smart strategic choice here—criminal justice reform is one of the most popular, uniting issues I’ve seen in my career in politics, and the message of working with both parties in Congress on the First Step Act appeals to voters across the political spectrum.  “It shouldn’t surprise us that he’s chosen to highlight justice reform on two of …

Justice Action Network Issues Statement on President Trump’s Super Bowl Ad Featuring Alice Marie Johnson and Promoting Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Wins

Syrita Bowen News, Press

Tonight, Holly Harris, executive director and president of the Justice Action Network, the country’s largest organization focused on bipartisan criminal justice reform solutions at the federal and state level, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s Super Bowl ad which aired this evening and focused on the story of Alice Marie Johnson, whose story of second chances has riveted and united the country.  “President Trump had thirty seconds to communicate his most effective message during his multi-million-dollar Super Bowl ad, and he chose to feature formerly incarcerated advocate Alice Marie Johnson and his work in criminal justice reform. “Republicans out there who still use this issue as an …

FAIR CHANCE ACT BECOMES FEDERAL LAW ONE YEAR AFTER PASSAGE OF GROUNDBREAKING FIRST STEP ACT

Syrita Bowen News, Press

President Trump signs the Fair Chance Act, one of the final criminal justice reform priorities of the late Congressman Elijah Cummings  Justice Action Network President & Executive Director Holly Harris released the following statement after the Fair Chance Act is signed into law:  “The President’s signature on the Fair Chance Act this holiday season is a gift to the tens of millions of Americans living with the stigma of a criminal record, many of whom have a hard time finding work,” said Justice Action Network President and Executive Director Holly Harris. “Tonight’s bill signing comes one year to the day that the House passed the First Step Act, which freed thousands of …

MAJOR VOTE SENDS FULL FUNDING FOR THE FIRST STEP ACT TO THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Syrita Bowen News, Press

Congress Approves $75 Million for the Recidivism-Reduction Programming Contained in the First Step Act by Vote of 81-11 Justice Action Network President & Executive Director Holly Harris released the following statement applauding the Senate for including First Step Act funding in today’s FY 2020 funding agreement: “This is another major step forward for bipartisan, bicameral criminal justice reform,” said Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris. “As we mark the anniversary of the passage of the First Step Act, we are encouraged to see continuing bipartisan support for the bill’s treatment and recidivism-reduction programming.” “Thanks to the unyielding advocacy of First Step Act champions Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin and Representatives …

HISTORIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING OVERHAUL & EXPUNGEMENT REFORMS PASS OVERWHELMINGLY IN HOUSE

Syrita Bowen News, Pennsylvania, Press

Republicans & Democrats Vote to Improve Employment Prospects and Second Chances; Lower Recidivism (Harrisburg, PA) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 193-4 in favor of House Bill 1477, a historic occupational licensing overhaul championed by Representatives Sheryl Delozier (R-88) and Jordan Harris (D-186), and unanimously for House Bill 440, a critical bill that builds on the Clean Slate Act to make expungement and clean slate more accessible to those that have been fully pardoned or acquitted, sponsored by Representatives Tedd Nesbit (R-8) and Joanna McClinton (D-191). Both pieces of legislation will break down barriers to employment for individuals impacted by the justice system, ultimately leading to lower recidivism and a stronger …