50+ Messages / Page

  Vanessa Rojas · [email protected]
May 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Thank you, friends!

Your gift unites families. FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, Thank you for your gift. Together, we raised $2,375 in support of FAMM and its work to secure many mothers and their families across the country the second chance they deserve.  Your gift will assist FAMM in championing their Second Chances Agenda, w…
  Mary Price · [email protected]
May 23, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Friends : FAMM and the U.S. Sentencing Commission need your help!

Make sure your voice is heard by June 23rd! FOLLOW US:Dear Friend,  On April 27, 2023, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines that would recommend lower sentences for certain defendants, including those with so-called status poin…
  Vanessa Rojas · [email protected]
May 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM

There’s still time for a second chance!

FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, I hope you had a fantastic Mother's Day.  I know I did because of FAMM and its work toward meaningful reform, especially surrounding their Second Chances Agenda. Last year, I was granted a second chance, and this year, I could enjoy my family, hug my children and tell them I …
  Vanessa Rojas · [email protected]
May 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM

With your support, every day is a gift.

Happy Mother's Day! FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, I want to wish you and yours a happy Mother's Day.  For me, today is a gift—one that I do not take for granted. Last week, I wrote about my most memorable Mother's Day, when I celebrated with my mother and children for the first time following my release fr…
  Vanessa Rojas · [email protected]
May 10, 2023 at 2:55 PM

On Mother's Day, I got my second chance.

Will you help families get the second chance they deserve? FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, As I prepare for another Mother's Day with my mother and children, I remember that many mothers are still behind bars. I know the pain they feel being away from their children on Mother's Day. I know because I felt tha…
  Julie Stewart · [email protected]
May 5, 2023 at 4:01 PM

I have some bittersweet news, friends.

FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, I am writing with the bittersweet news that Kevin Ring will be leaving FAMM at the end of June to take over as vice president of criminal justice advocacy at Arnold Ventures. It is incredibly hard to see Kevin go, but of course, we are excited to see what he will accomplish i…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
May 3, 2023 at 3:22 PM

Friends, help us pass prison oversight!

Contact your senators today and show your support! FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, Good news for those of us fighting for safer, more humane prisons! Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill in Congress to create meaningful and independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).…
  Ann Espuelas · [email protected]
April 25, 2023 at 5:02 PM

What's going on in the states, friends?

Join us for a special call about our state policy work. FOLLOW US:Dear friend, Please join our State Policy and Family Outreach teams next Wednesday, May 3, for a Zoom call about what FAMM is working on at the state level: https://secure.everyaction.com/9jfUQLzFHEuELFxQSez3xw2   We’ll update you on …
  Ann Espuelas · [email protected]
April 20, 2023 at 2:30 PM

Friends, let's share our stories!

RSVP for our free storytelling workshop today! FOLLOW US:Hi Friend, Your most powerful tool for criminal justice reform is your story–whether you’re a returning citizen, someone with a loved one inside, or for whatever reason you’re compelled to be a part of the fight. We want to help you make that …
  Mary Price · [email protected]
April 10, 2023 at 3:11 PM

Friends, we've achieved a major victory!

Changes to compassionate release have just been adopted federally! FOLLOW US:Hi Friends, Wednesday, April 5, was a huge day for FAMM at the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The Commission voted on a number of changes to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, including changes to compassionate release.  We are g…
  Daniel Landsman · [email protected]
April 5, 2023 at 2:57 PM

Friends, you're invited to a call with Kevin Ring on Thursday!

RSVP today. FOLLOW US:Dear Friend, Join us for a special call this Thursday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. EDT. RSVP here: https://secure.everyaction.com/9VEssts5i06O72emuu28zw2    Please join Kevin Ring, me, and our Family Outreach team for a Zoom call about what FAMM is working on at the federal level. We…
  Bryan Widenhouse, FAMM · [email protected]
March 29, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Friends, I know what a second chance means.

FOLLOW US:Dear Friend,  On March 17, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, of New Mexico, signed new state legislation banning life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) sentences for people who committed their crimes as children. The bill also gives parole eligibility to people serving lengthy sentences…
  Mary Price · [email protected]
March 9, 2023 at 4:05 PM

Time is running out, everyone!

FAMM We need your comments by March 14. Follow us:   Dear friend, The deadline to submit comments in favor of compassionate release expansion is coming up fast! Will you take a moment to contact the U.S. Sentencing Commission? You can submit your comments b…
  Mary Price · [email protected]
March 2, 2023 at 4:41 PM

Help us expand compassionate release, everyone!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, FAMM and the U.S. Sentencing Commission need your help! The Commission held a hearing last week on proposed amendments to the compassionate release policy statement. I testified, as did an amazing panel of formerly incarcerat…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
February 23, 2023 at 6:11 PM

EQUAL is back! Help us pass it, friends.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, The fight for fair sentencing in Congress is back on! Last week, the EQUAL Act was reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would eliminate, once and for all, the indefensible sent…
  Shanna Rifkin · [email protected]
February 16, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Have you contacted the BOP yet, friend?

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, It's not too late to submit comments on a proposed Bureau of Prisons (BOP) rule that would mean less money for those in prison who need it most. Here is more info on how to submit your comment: https://docs.google.com/documen…
  Lee Horton for FAMM · [email protected]
February 14, 2023 at 4:30 PM

My Second Chance Love Story

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, My name is Lee Horton. Two years ago this month I was granted clemency from a life sentence. I'd been in prison for 28 years at that point. Today, because it's Valentine's, I want to tell you a little story about love and mar…
  Molly Gill · [email protected]
February 9, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Can prison oversight sweep the nation, friends?

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Here at FAMM, we started advocating independent oversight of prison systems because of the stories we heard from our incarcerated members – stories about crumbling facilities, inedible food, neglect, abuse, horrifying conditi…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
February 3, 2023 at 3:01 PM

They’re home to stay, everyone!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Since thousands of individuals were released from federal prison to home confinement under the CARES Act, there has been uncertainty over whether they'd be forced to return to prison. I'm happy to report that these individual…
  Shanna Rifkin · [email protected]
January 24, 2023 at 3:45 PM

The BOP needs to hear from you, everyone!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is proposing changes to the operation of the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program (IFRP). The proposed rule would automatically put 75% of money sent from family members to people in prison towa…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
January 19, 2023 at 2:31 PM

We've got a full agenda, everyone. Can we count on you?

FAMM See what's in store for 2023. Follow us:   Dear friend, I hope your new year is off to a good start. After a quick break over the holiday, we're back in full swing and ready to fight for much-needed criminal justice reform. We have a full agenda ahead …
  Mary Price · [email protected]
January 13, 2023 at 7:32 PM

We need your voice, everyone!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, The United States Sentencing Commission met yesterday and proposed amendments to the federal Sentencing Guidelines. You can find the Commission's proposed amendments here: https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/amendmen…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
January 1, 2023 at 1:01 AM

We’re $990 away from our goal of raising $200,000 ... but we only have until midnight!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, I'll keep this email short. As New Year's Eve is upon us and we're about to toast to new beginnings, we still have to raise $990 by midnight. We're trying to raise the rest of our budget by midnight tonight to support our wor…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
December 31, 2022 at 2:00 PM

Will you add giving second chances to your list of New Year’s resolutions?

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, In prison, many people see New Year's Eve as the last day of another year they can tick off their sentence. At FAMM, we're trying to help more people get second chances to get out of prison early. Who knows, maybe someone who…
  Peter Ninemire for FAMM · [email protected]
December 29, 2022 at 5:01 PM

Friends: Help more people spend their New Year’s Eve with people they love!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, When I was in prison, every New Year's Eve I was focused on my goals for the coming year. It was counting another year down. It was hard, but I kept it positive around the new year. After 10 years behind bars, I was granted c…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
December 27, 2022 at 3:45 PM

Together, we can keep achieving significant victories.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, At FAMM, we're trying to raise $200,000 by December 31 to help us work for second chances – and advance our mission. Will you give a gift today to help us reach our goal? https://secure.everyaction.com/Y0qUTl-lckKT_-n_1aD9iw2…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
December 25, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Happy Holidays from FAMM

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, I wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy holiday. Our hearts are with those who are celebrating their first Christmas with their families in years now that they've finally been released — and also with those who can't be…
  Ernest Boykin for FAMM · [email protected]
December 23, 2022 at 6:00 PM

It's my baby's first Christmas!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, My baby Ari was born in April — and it's her first Christmas! We'll be spending the day with our family and a lot of love. We're beginning new traditions with her so she can remember this time as magical. Full of music, food,…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
December 19, 2022 at 4:30 PM

People deserve second chances, friends.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, I'm writing today to ask for your support during FAMM's year-end fundraiser. We're trying to raise $200,000 before midnight on December 31. It's a big goal, but I know we can do it — together. Will you give today to help us r…
  Cecilia Cardenas for FAMM · [email protected]
December 15, 2022 at 4:15 PM

Friends: Let’s help bring more people home for the holidays in 2023.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I can't wait to eat homemade tamales with my family on Christmas Day next week. There's going to be at least 40 of us gathering, making meaningful memories and sharing the season. But I would…
  Shanna Rifkin · [email protected]
December 7, 2022 at 5:15 PM

Friends: Help us preserve judges’ ability to decide compassionate release

FAMM We need your voice! Follow us:   Dear friend, FAMM is fighting to preserve judges' authority to resentence federal prisoners using compassionate release. Why? Because we know that the Bureau of Prisons does not always grant compassionate release to inc…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 30, 2022 at 5:00 PM

Thank you, everyone!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Thank you so much for helping to make this year’s Giving Tuesday a success. Thanks to you, we surpassed our goal of $10,000! This year, you heard from Chris Holyfield and Yvonne Mosley, who spent their first Thanksgiving toge…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 30, 2022 at 12:31 AM

Hey everyone: We still need to raise $2,200 by midnight!

FAMM Help us meet our goal for Giving Tuesday. Follow us:   Dear friend, We have 4 more hours left in Giving Tuesday and we're so close to our goal. We set a goal today to raise $10,000 for FAMM on Giving Tuesday. We have to raise $2,200 by midnight to reac…
  Yvonne Mosley for FAMM · [email protected]
November 29, 2022 at 7:31 PM

We spent 22 holiday seasons apart.

FAMM Will you give a gift to FAMM for Giving Tuesday to help reunite more families like ours? Follow us:   Dear friend, My son Christopher and I didn't have holidays together for 22 years, since 2000, when he went to prison. All those years, Chris would cal…
  Chris Holyfield for FAMM · [email protected]
November 29, 2022 at 2:02 PM

Friends, fight for second chances this Giving Tuesday.

FAMM Help us reach our goal. Follow us:   Dear friend, This Thanksgiving season, I am so thankful for my freedom. I am so thankful to be standing in my home, as opposed to in a unit being shaken down with the same routine day in and day out, even on the hol…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 28, 2022 at 5:45 PM

We can’t do this work without you, friends.

FAMM Help us end the disparity this Giving Tuesday. Follow us:   Dear friend, As I spent Thanksgiving with my family this year, I couldn't help but think of all the incarcerated people and their families who are having to spend Thanksgiving apart. At FAMM, …
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 24, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Today is Thanksgiving. As we gather around the table with our friends, family, and loved ones, I ask that we remember those who can't celebrate with their families today due to unjust, lengthy sentences that are keeping them …
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 22, 2022 at 4:30 PM

Friends: Help us get more people home for Thanksgiving.

FAMM Giving Tuesday is one week away! Follow us:   Dear friend, Giving Tuesday is one week away! It's a day where people worldwide are encouraged to support organizations that make their community better. Will you remember FAMM and help us reach our fundrai…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 18, 2022 at 2:39 PM

Everyone should want this, friends.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Good news in the fight for second chances! On Tuesday, November 15, the D.C. Council unanimously approved a measure to completely rewrite the city’s criminal code. Two important features that FAMM supported were included in t…
  Frank Merold, FAMM · [email protected]
November 11, 2022 at 3:00 PM

When I think of second chances, I think especially of veterans.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, My name is Frank Merold, and two years ago I was released on compassionate release from a life sentence on drugs charges. I'm writing you today, Veterans Day, because I am a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. My experience in th…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
November 2, 2022 at 5:00 PM

Friends, vote for justice reform on Nov. 8!

FAMM Criminal justice reform is on the ballot. Follow us:   Dear friend, This year's midterm election is shaping up to be a big one. Like many pressing issues, criminal justice reform is on the ballot next Tuesday, November 8. Please make sure you make time…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
October 19, 2022 at 1:34 PM

Does District Of Columbia make the grade, friends?

FAMM Our latest findings on compassionate release. Follow us:   Dear friend, In 2018 FAMM released state-by-state memos describing every compassionate release program in the country. We found that a lot of things about state compassionate release programs d…
  Ann Espuelas · [email protected]
October 6, 2022 at 2:08 PM

Here's what alarmist headlines won't tell you, friends.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, When Cecilia Cardenas was in prison for a mandatory 10-year sentence on drug charges, she took as many classes as she could. She knew every shelf, table, and chair in the prison library. And when she got out after seven years…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
September 28, 2022 at 8:26 PM

Help us make prisons safer, everyone.

FAMM Contact your lawmakers today! Follow us:   Dear friend, I have great news to share: A bill was introduced in Congress today to create more oversight of federal prisons. FAMM is supporting this new bill, and we think it can't pass soon enough! Ask your …
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
September 23, 2022 at 1:02 PM

Re: We need help from the inside, everyone.

FAMM We've updated our guide for easier printing. Follow us:   Dear friend, We received feedback that the incarcerated member guide we sent last week wasn't easy to print because it was only available in color. We have corrected this issue and created a bla…
  Mary Price · [email protected]
September 22, 2022 at 2:18 PM

Guess who's back?

FAMM And what this means for compassionate release! Follow us:   Dear friend, The U.S. Sentencing Commission is back! That means the next few months will be big ones for federal criminal justice reform. It is the first time in more than three years that we …
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
September 15, 2022 at 2:30 PM

We need help from the inside, everyone.

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, FAMM is asking lawmakers to do more than #VisitAPrison and get a tour. We also want them to spend time with our loved ones inside. No one can tell their stories or advocate better. We need our incarcerated loved ones to work …
  The FAMM Storytelling Team · [email protected]
September 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM

Ready to be inspired, everyone?

FAMM Our latest project launches today! Follow us:   Dear friend, Today we launch "Free to Succeed," FAMM's first-ever monthly storytelling program. Every month like clockwork, we will launch "story packages" of formerly-incarcerated people who've gotten a …
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
August 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM

BREAKING: National survey says ...

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Today we released the results from the first-ever national poll on prison oversight. You can check out the full results here: https://famm.org/wp-content/uploads/FAMM-National-Survey-Key-Findings.pdf What we learned is that a…
  Kevin Ring · [email protected]
August 11, 2022 at 2:00 PM

A big week for federal reform!

FAMM Follow us:   Dear friend, Last week was a big week for federal reform, with two major developments. First, Colette Peters was sworn in as the new director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). I was invited to the ceremony, which was attended by all the lea…