Might Structural Changes Be the Next Step for Federal Sentencing Reform?

Abstract

The landmark First Step Act was given a name intended to signal that additional criminal justice reforms should be a continued focus for federal policy makers. But more than three years later, Congress has yet to pass any new sentencing reform laws. The introduction to the April 2022 Issue of the Federal Sentencing Reporter explores what could come next in the area of sentencing reform, with a particular focus on two new federal bills proposing notable structural changes to the federal sentencing system. The proposed Sentencing Commission Improvements Act and FIX Clemency Act are both commendable because they seek to alter key structures that have contributed to massive growth in the federal prison population.