Dear friends,

I am excited and gratified to share that FAMM's pioneering work on expanding compassionate release programs is cited in a new report issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The report examines the challenges of combating COVID-19 in prisons and jails and makes specific recommendations for reducing prison populations.

The NASEM experts cite FAMM's comprehensive report on state compassionate release programs, "Everywhere and Nowhere," and conclude that existing programs are not working to protect elderly and sick prisoners. They recommend that states approve procedural reforms consistent with those FAMM secured in the First Step Act for federal compassionate release.

We completely agree. Having helped reform the federal system, we are now working hard to assist states that want to make commonsense changes to their compassionate release programs. Compassionate release reform is humane, safe, and fiscally responsible, and we need more of it.

You can read the full report here: https://www.nap.edu/read/25945/chapter/1

Best,

Kevin Ring
President, FAMM

P.S. You can assist our efforts to secure compassionate release for vulnerable people in prison by donating to our COVID relief fund: https://secure.everyaction.com/B0rngg8CRkC3K1WnqpuWlA2