The American Bar Association sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee urging them to approve S. 1917, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017, without weakening amendments in advance of next week’s markup of the bill.

Last month, ABA President Hilarie Bass sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee strongly commending leaders of both parties for their bipartisan negotiations on complex sentencing and corrections issues that are desperately needed. While S. 1917 does not go as far as the ABA would like in overhauling federal sentencing policy, it takes many important steps forward to reduce reliance on mandatory minimum sentences for low-level drug offenders and to improve sentencing and correction policies that affect juvenile justice. The ABA advocates for a quick passage of the bill by the Senate.

Read President Bass’ Jan. 9 letter here.

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