[Episcopal Public Policy Network policy alert] Tell your member of Congress to be a champion of prison reform through supporting the Smarter Sentencing Act!

The U.S. prison population is vast and growing. Between 1980 and 2014, the number of federal prison inmates increased by almost 790%. The Bureau of Federal Prisons currently operates at nearly 140% of its capacity, despite the fact that over 60% of inmates are non-violent offenders. Prison overcrowding and massive operating costs create a system that is both untenable and dangerous. It’s time to take a hard look at reforming the U.S. prison system.

Fortunately, some members of Congress are doing just this. The Smarter Sentencing Act (S. 1410/H.R.3382) is a bipartisan bill that modestly reforms sentencing policy for low-level drug offenses through reducing mandatory minimum sentences and restoring some discretion to federal trial judges.

In many drug-related cases, judges are legally obligated to impose mandatory minimum sentences determined by the type of drug and the amount of it involved in the crime. The Smarter Sentencing Act would cut these minimums in half, reducing the number of inmates in federal prisons and decreasing prison operating costs. In addition, this bill would allow federal judges the personal discretion to grant individualized sentences for certain non-violent drug offenders.

The Episcopal Church supports repealing mandatory federal sentencing guidelines and restoring discretion to federal trial judges (General Convention, 2003). With these policies in mind, the Smarter Sentencing Act is a step in the right direction.

Write your member of Congress today and urge them to be a champion of prison reform through supporting the Smarter Sentencing Act!