The First Step Act is a bipartisan criminal justice reform law enacted in December, 2018. It aims to improve federal prison conditions, reduce recidivism, and provide sentencing reforms for qualifying nonviolent offenders. The act represents a shift towards a more rehabilitative and fair approach in the federal prison system, emphasizing second chances for eligible inmates while maintaining public safety.
The First Step Act of 2018: An Overview | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Passed in 2018, the First Step Act was designed to reduce reoffending among people leaving federal prisons. Provisions of the First Step Act are summarized in this Congressional Research Service brief.
Bureau of Prisons (BOP): First Step Act Overview
The BOP provides a general overview of how the First Step Act of 2018 (P.L. 115- 391), signed into law by President Trump, affects BOP inmates and their families. The act was the culmination of a bipartisan effort to improve criminal justice outcomes, as well as to reduce the size of the federal prison population while also creating mechanisms to maintain public safety.
BOP: First Step Act, Frequently Asked Questions
General information about the First Step Act as it relates to Bureau of Prisons inmates and their families.
Impact on Time Served (2024) - First Step Act: An Early Analysis of Recidivism
This is an analysis, which examines the impact of the First Step Act on the amount of time served by people released under the law.
