A total of $250 million would be authorized for the creation of educational, vocational and other skill-building programs for those in prison. Nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, would be permitted to assist with the creation and implementation of these programs.
These provisions would only apply to prisoners who were incarcerated for certain crimes. Those in prison for violent offenses, such as assault of a spouse, arson, or sex trafficking, are not eligible to receive these earned time credits.
The First Step Act would also ban the practice controversial practice of shackling pregnant women, and require that feminine hygiene products be provided to female prisoners free-of-cost. The bill also mandates that prisoners be held no more than 500 driving miles away from their families, because evidence suggests that increased time with loved ones assists with societal reintegration.
Under the bill, prisoners deemed to be "low" or "minimum" risk would be instead be held in either a halfway house or home confinement. The minimum age for "compassionate release" would be lowered from 65 to 60.
Two Catholic organizations told CNA that they are optimistic about the bill and that they feel as though it is a way to improve the country's criminal justice system.
"The First Step Act is exactly what it sounds like: an important first step by the federal government as part of our ongoing national conversation about draconian punishments, disparate sentencing, and collateral consequences," Griffin Hardy, a spokesperson for anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean, told CNA.