Law
First Step Act
Bipartisan criminal justice reform law that reduced some federal sentencing disparities and expanded earned-time credits.
Year
2018
Impact
Positive
Status
Active
Party
Republican Party
Era
Contemporary Era
Impact Context
Produced meaningful criminal justice reform with important implications for Black communities disproportionately affected by incarceration.
What This Policy Did
Produced meaningful criminal justice reform with important implications for Black communities disproportionately affected by incarceration.
Evidence and Linked Records
John Lewis Voting Access Restoration Act
Critical • Idea • 2 linked bills
Criminal Justice Reparations and Sentencing Equity Act
High • Idea • 1 linked bills
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Sources
U.S. Department of Justice • Government • May 1, 2023
DOJ implementation report describing the First Step Act as a bipartisan law to improve criminal justice outcomes and reduce the federal prison population while maintaining public safety.
U.S. Department of Justice • Government • Jan 13, 2022
DOJ press release explaining the earned time credit program created by the First Step Act.
U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General • Government • Sep 25, 2025
DOJ OIG audit discussing implementation of the First Step Act and its prison placement provisions.