John, Senator Durbin and Senator Grassley recently reintroduced critical legislation that would expand opportunities for elderly people to leave federal prisons.
People sentenced under the pre-1987 federal criminal laws are the oldest and sickest people in federal prisons. All have served over 30 years in prison and their median age is over 65 years. Many are going blind, developing dementia, living with diabetes, and struggling to walk unaided, yet they’re cruelly and arbitrarily barred from even going before a judge to request an earlier release. Safer Detention would correct that by giving “old law” individuals the same opportunity to seek compassionate release as people sentenced after 1987.
Safer Detention would also reauthorize and expand the Elderly Home Confinement Pilot Program, another important pathway for aging and terminally ill people to leave federal prison, which will otherwise end this year. Join us in the fight to pass the Safer Detention Act. Tell your lawmakers that you support compassionate release and urge them to back the Safer Detention Act. Every voice matters. |
