In our political climate, it is always nice to have a bit of authentic bipartisanship. The Marshall plan to rebuild Europe following World War 2, the Interstate Highway System under President Eisenhower, and the Apollo Program are all examples of both political parties coming together for a common goal.  

The first Trump Administration saw another of these moments in the passage of the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act  or First Step Act in 2018. The bill was designed to reform federal prison policy and reduce the rates of recidivism, meaning criminals returning to incarceration. It had supporters from all over the political spectrum, and in its seven years of life, has indeed lowered recidivism, extended credits to prisoners for good behavior, and allowed some elderly or sick prisoners to return home.  

Last week, the Supreme Court handed down decisions on three decisions having to do with criminal justice, two of them having to do with the First Step Act. Here to explain, and to talk about what he’s watching for from the land’s highest court this term, is Cully Stimson, Senior Legal Fellow here at the Heritage Foundation.    

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