WASHINGTON, D.C. – John Malcolm, Vice President of the Heritage Foundation’s Institute for Constitutional Government, released the below comment following the U.S. Congress's passage of the bipartisan prison reform legislation, the First Step Act:

 

“The First Step Act has been accurately described as the most significant criminal justice bill in a generation.

 

“The First Step Act will lead to safer communities and redeemed lives by giving judges more discretion to impose appropriate sentences for low-level, non-violent offenders and by offering evidence-based programs in prison designed to equip inmates with some of the skills they need to become law-abiding, productive citizens upon release.

 

“I applaud President Trump, Jared Kushner, Congress, and the diverse coalition of public interest groups who worked so hard and for so long to pass this important piece of legislation.”