Despite passage of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act in July by the U.S. House of Representatives, enactment this year is uncertain. Only a few weeks remain in the legislative calendar and the Senate must prioritize the bill for a vote on the floor.

Your Senators need to hear from you if we want a Criminal Justice Commission to address unfairness, excessive sentence length and racial disparity.  Please contact your Senators today and ask them for their support.

Send your Senators a letter in support of the Commission.

The National Criminal Justice Commission Act, currently pending in the U.S. Senate, would create an independent body of experts to study and advance programs and policies that promote public safety, while overhauling those practices that are found to be fundamentally flawed. Please contact your Senators to secure passage of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act this year.

The Ex-offender Improvements in Transition Act (EXIT Act) of 2009 (H.R.3053) was introduced by Representative Andre Carson (D-IN). This bill strengthens the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 by repealing the denial to drug felons of eligibility for benefits under the program of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF).  Many states have not eliminated the federal ban on benefits. Those states that have retained the TANF ban implement counterproductive public policies that fail to address the basic needs, including housing and income assistance, of people with felony drug convictions who seek to reintegrate into their communities. The EXIT Act provides vital help to formerly incarcerated persons attempting to successfully reenter society and avoid further contact with the criminal justice system.

The Women's Prison Association recently released, Women's Voices: Advocacy by Criminal Justice-Involved Women, a report that spotlights the efforts of women around the country who are rolling up their sleeves, using their voices, and working to reduce our nation's reliance on incarceration. WPA is a service and advocacy organization committed to helping women with criminal justice histories realize new possibilities for themselves and their families.

Many states impose a lifetime welfare ban on people convicted of possessing or selling drugs. The ban has resulted in devastating consequences for poor women and their children. Tell your state legislators to stop punishing women by denying their families assistance.