We post news and comment on federal criminal justice issues, focused primarily on trial and post-conviction matters, legislative initiatives, and sentencing issues.
BUT HOW ABOUT THE 65% BILL? DIDN’T THAT PASS?
A month ago, I tried to bust the most pervasive inmate myths. Judging from my email, I failed miserably.
So I will take a day off from COVID in the BOP (now with 2,886 sick inmates – up a whopping 87% from a week ago – and 790 sick staff – up 48% in a week) and from following up on the soon-departed Michael Carvajal)… aNd I will try again.
Pay attention, kiddies. There is NO 65% bill, 65% law or 65% anything. There is NO proposal to cut federal sentences so that everyone will only serve 65%. There is NO bill, law, NO directive from Biden, and NO anything else that will give inmates extra time off because of the pandemic.
Nothing, nada, zilch, bupkis.
One guy complained after my last myth-busting post that I had “misrepresented” things because there is indeed a bill pending that would let nonviolent first-time offenders who are 45 years old get out at 50% of their sentences.
Yeah, I admit it. There is such a bill. Just like I have a picture of a unicorn. But the picture doesn’t make a unicorn any more real. And Rep Sheila Jackson Lee’s (D-TX) perennial tilt at the windmill doesn’t make the legislation a serious contender.
Yes, Jackson Lee has (once again) introduced a bill to dramatically cut federal sentences. She tossed it in the hopper last spring, an event that I did not bother to note at the time. Her Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2021 is a variation of the bill Jackson Lee has introduced in every Congress since 2003 (that’s nine times), except for the 116th (2019-2020). None has ever collected a single co-sponsor. The bill has always gone to the House Judiciary Committee, never to be seen again. Joe Biden is more likely to be Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024 than this bill is to ever see the light of day.
If you want to know what criminal justice reform legislation stands a chance in this Congress, look elsewhere.
H.R.132 – Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2021
– Thomas L. Root