Women impacted by the criminal justice system need Congress to pass reform.

Despite the fact that women are actually more likely than men to be imprisoned for nonviolent drug offenses, they are too often left out of the conversation when it comes to reforming our criminal justice system. And the number of women in prison has increased over 600% since the 1980s. This is due in part to harsh sentencing for drug offenses.

The American criminal justice system is anything but just.

In addition to the disproportionate sentencing of women, Black, Latino, and low-income individuals are also imprisoned at a disproportionately high rate due in part to 30 years of “tough on crime” sentencing.

The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S.2123) is a vital reform that will reduce some mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted of low level drug offenses and it would help to right past wrongs by retroactively applying the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 to approximately 6,000 women and men currently in prison.

Although there is much more reform needed, these changes mark an important first step toward addressing some of the causes of the unsustainable growth of women in the federal system.

What’s the hold up?

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed S. 2123 over 4 months ago and it’s time for the bill to come to the Senate floor for a vote. However, with an increasingly obstructive environment in the Senate, we must continue to push senators to support the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act.

Senators can commemorate Women’s History Month by supporting the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 and pushing Senate leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

Demand action today!

Take Action: As we celebrate and honor Women’s History throughout March, more than a hundred thousand women are in prison for non-violent drug offenses, often serving unjust sentences. Congress can honor women and make history by passing much-needed sentencing reform. Call your senators (202-224-3121) and tell them to support the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S. 2123) and to urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring it to the floor for a vote.