Criminal Justice Reform: Federal Sentencing, Reentry, and Policing

This report provides an overview of federal criminal justice reform efforts, focusing on the First Step Act of 2018 and its implementation. It examines changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, good time credit calculations, and the expansion of reentry programming in the federal prison system.

The report discusses the federal Bureau of Prisons' implementation of the risk and needs assessment system, compassionate release provisions, and earned time credit programs. Data on the federal prison population, recidivism rates, and the costs of incarceration are presented.

Additional topics include proposals for further sentencing reform, the role of federal funding in supporting state and local criminal justice initiatives, police reform legislation, qualified immunity debates, and the impact of reforms on public safety and racial disparities in the criminal justice system.