First Step Act

E88598

The First Step Act is a major U.S. federal criminal justice reform law that, among other changes, reduced certain mandatory minimum sentences, expanded early-release and rehabilitation programs, and made some sentencing reforms retroactive.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States federal law
criminal justice reform law
abbreviation FSA
affects federal criminal defendants
federal prisoners
aim expand rehabilitation opportunities for federal prisoners
reduce federal prison population growth
reduce recidivism
reform federal sentencing laws
branchOfLaw federal criminal law
chamberInvolved United States House of Representatives NERFINISHED
United States Senate
containsProvision earned time credits for participation in recidivism reduction programs
expansion of early-release opportunities
expansion of home confinement eligibility
good conduct time credit fix increasing maximum good time credits
juvenile solitary confinement restrictions
limitations on use of restraints on pregnant prisoners
placement of prisoners closer to their families when practicable
reduction of certain mandatory minimum sentences
reforms to compassionate release procedures
retroactive application of Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 provisions
risk and needs assessment system for federal prisoners
country United States
dateSigned 2018-12-21
effect allowed resentencing for some individuals convicted of crack cocaine offenses before 2010
expanded eligibility for safety valve relief in sentencing
increased incentives for prisoners to participate in rehabilitative programs
reduced certain drug-related mandatory minimum sentences
jurisdiction federal
legalScope federal criminal justice system
legislativeBody United States Congress
longName Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act
officeHolderSigning 45th President of the United States
opposedBy some law enforcement organizations
some tough-on-crime advocates
policyArea criminal justice
prison reform
reentry programs
sentencing reform
politicalContext bipartisan legislation
relatedTo Fair Sentencing Act of 2010
retroactivity makes certain sentencing reforms retroactive
shortName First Step Act
signedBy Donald Trump
supportFrom Democratic Party lawmakers
Republican Party lawmakers
criminal justice reform advocacy groups
yearEnacted 2018

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
115th United States Congress
notableLegislation
First Step Act
shortName

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