Many were surprised last night at Christian Theological Seminary's Faith & Action event at Clowes Hall when Van Jones, a CNN commentator, a "social justice accelerator," and special advisor to President Barack Obama, praised President Donald Trump.
I have to say, I'm right in there with him. Anyone who has followed my writing for long, knows that I have developed a close relationship with Jesse Rosbia, an inmate who as a young man, was put away for decades for a victimless crime. He is now 41 years old, and because of the prison reform legislation that Trump campaigned on and pushed through Congress, it looks like my friend could soon be released.
Finally our legislators have decided to do something about the fact that America has the highest incarceration rate in the world and an over-incarceration of minorities. Much of it due to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, signed into law by President Clinton, that established more mandatory minimum penalties and other onerous punishments.
When the new law, called the First Steps Act was signed by President Trump in December 2018, it started the ball rolling on the first major reforms to our criminal justice system in over a decade. As pointed out during the event, Presidents George W. Bush and President Obama talked about doing something to reform these laws, but, said Van Jones, "it was Trump who did it." Do not be fooled, it is no small thing for the hundreds of thousands of inmates who will benefit from these commonsense reforms.
The new law will make our justice system fairer and help inmates successfully transition back into society. It will assist those with drug addictions, increase sentence modifications, and expand avenues for eligible elderly and terminally ill prisoners to get their sentences reduced, or be transferred to home confinement when possible, among other benefits.
The President's fiscal year 2020 Budget proposes over $500 million for various Federal programs to help prisoners succeed in society after their release, including $234 million to support reentry programs, inmate education, and occupational training programs, and $78 million to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated adults and young adults.
Like those whose imprisoned family members are affected by this legislation, I care much less about who did it, than the fact that it is getting done. Love him or hate him, I congratulate President Trump and the bi-partisan folks who voted for these changes.
More than half Jesse's life has been spent behind bars. While in prison, he has earned a GED, a Bachelor's Degree and a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling. We have heard he could be released to a transitional program around November 1st. It will be a big adjustment, for sure. But he is supported by family and all of us at UNITE INDY. I know our community won't let him down again.
Feeling blessed,
Nancy
