Monique Brown Invited by President Trump to Attend First Step Act Conference

In December 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the First Step Act, marking the first major reforms to our criminal justice system in over a decade. Jim and Monique Brown were invited to attend. Jared Kushner spearheaded efforts to get the bi-partisan support needed to push it over the line. He was a major influence in the President’s supporting the bill.

And last week Monique attended a follow up meeting in Washington, D.C. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame sat down with Monique when she returned from Washington, D.C.

For over 25 years, Jim and I have been working to combat violence, alleviate poverty, and bring opportunity to our community. Through the Amer-I-Can program we have trained thousands of formerly incarcerated, gang affiliated, and traumatized individuals to recognize and claim their right to self-determination. 

Through our work, we have also fought for policy change and systems transformation to make our criminal legal system more just, more fair, and more compassionate. 

Jim and I met with President Trump last December  and asked him to support the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill. We chose to use our voices, our platform, to echo the collective push for criminal justice reform. 

We see this as our duty, and through the Amer-I-Can program and our advocacy we will continue to fight for justice and opportunity for our community.

• The First Step Act enacted commonsense reforms to make our justice system fairer and help inmates successfully transition back into society.
   
• President Trump remains committed to building on this success and continuing the great work achieved by this legislation.

OFFERING A SECOND CHANCE: Inmates across the country are getting a second chance thanks to the First Step Act.

• The First Step Act is providing prisoners with a second chance through rehabilitative programs, fair sentencing, and smart confinement.
   
• Over 16,000 inmates are enrolled in a drug treatment program offered as part of the robust drug treatment strategy managed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
  • To date, BOP has assessed over 400 inmates for participation in Medication Assisted Treatment programs designed to aid in their recovery.
• The First Step Act provided the opportunity for sentencing relief for certain defendants who received mandatory minimum sentences prior to the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.
  • 721 defendants have received sentence reductions, 573 of which have resulted in inmates being released.
• The First Step Act expanded avenues for eligible elderly and terminally ill prisoners to get their sentences reduced by allowing for their motions to be directly filed with the courts.
   
• The First Step Act authorized eligible low-risk and elderly inmates to be transferred to home confinement when possible.
   
• The legislation also advised BOP to place inmates within 500 driving miles of home when possible.

• President Trump’s fiscal year 2020 Budget proposes over $500 million for various Federal programs to help prisoners succeed in society after their release, including:
  • $234 million for the Department of Justice to support reentry programs, inmate education, and occupational training programs.
  • $78 million for the Department of Labor to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated adults and young adults.

• In 2019, the Department of Education will provide $28 million for a Pell grant pilot program to help eligible incarcerated Americans pursue postsecondary education.
   
• These initiatives are intended to help reduce the rate of recidivism and offer prisoners the support they need for life after incarceration.