Fact Sheet - President Donald J. Trump Is Committed to Building on the Successes of the First Step Act

ACHIEVING GROUNDBREAKING REFORM: The landmark First Step Act enacted commonsense criminal justice reform that is helping prisoners gain a new lease on life and is making America safer.

• In December 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the First Step Act, marking the first major reforms to our criminal justice system in over a decade.
• The First Step Act enacted commonsense reforms to make our justice system fairer and help inmates successfully transition back into society.
• President Trump remains committed to building on this success and continuing the great work achieved by this legislation.

OFFERING A SECOND CHANCE: Inmates across the country are getting a second chance thanks to the First Step Act.

• The First Step Act is providing prisoners with a second chance through rehabilitative programs, fair sentencing, and smart confinement.
• Over 16,000 inmates are enrolled in a drug treatment program offered as part of the robust drug treatment strategy managed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
  • To date, BOP has assessed over 400 inmates for participation in Medication Assisted Treatment programs designed to aid in their recovery.
• The First Step Act provided the opportunity for sentencing relief for certain defendants who received mandatory minimum sentences prior to the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.
  • 721 defendants have received sentence reductions, 573 of which have resulted in inmates being released.
• The First Step Act expanded avenues for eligible elderly and terminally ill prisoners to get their sentences reduced by allowing for their motions to be directly filed with the courts.
• The First Step Act authorized eligible low-risk and elderly inmates to be transferred to home confinement when possible.
• The legislation also advised BOP to place inmates within 500 driving miles of home when possible.

DEDICATING RESOURCES TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM: The Trump Administration is committed to helping prisoners successfully rejoin society after their release.

• President Trump'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 for the Department of Justice to support reentry programs, inmate education, and occupational training programs.
  • $78 million for the Department of Labor to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated adults and young adults.

• In 2019, the Department of Education will provide $28 million for a Pell grant pilot program to help eligible incarcerated Americans pursue postsecondary education.
• These initiatives are intended to help reduce the rate of recidivism and offer prisoners the support they need for life after incarceration.