Dear friend,

I hope you all are off to a good start in the new year. I wanted to share where FAMM's reform efforts stand and where we're going in 2022.

We were thrilled to end 2021 on a high note, with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland's announcement that the Justice Department would not require people on CARES Act home confinement to return to prison at the end of the pandemic. We heard from many families who were able to enjoy the holidays more with that cloud lifted.

Some of our other victories in 2021 included:

• Helping lead the campaign to eliminate mandatory minimum drug sentences in California, while stopping new mandatory minimums from passing in Pennsylvania;
• Persuading Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to give special clemency consideration to the hundreds of people serving excessive prison terms for drug-free school zone violations; and
• Building support for the overwhelming vote in the U.S. House for the EQUAL Act, to eliminate the federal crack-powder sentencing disparity.

Though happy with our progress, we have a lot of work to do. We know that rising violent crime in some areas and the upcoming midterm elections will make reform more difficult in 2022, but we are committed to pushing for more change. Some of our goals for 2022 include:

• Persuading President Biden to use his clemency authority to ensure that people on home confinement won’t be sent back for minor supervision violations;
• Securing final passage of the EQUAL Act and other federal sentencing and prison reform;
• Building support for more second chances in more states around the country through legislative advocacy and enhanced storytelling;
• Opposing new "tough-on-crime" efforts, including new mandatory minimums, prompted by the recent violent crime spike; and
• Producing, editing, and releasing a new documentary on the need for second look laws.

2022 promises to be a busy and challenging year, and as always, we could use your help. Please stay tuned for ways you can help us advocate in your state and at the federal level.

Best,

Kevin Ring
President, FAMM