Collins writes Barr about First Step Act implementation

"In the coming weeks and months, I expect to see continued, robust activity from the Department to fully implement the First Step Act. I stand ready to partner with you in ensuring the First Step Act is fully and effectively implemented."

WASHINGTON — Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, sent the following letter to Attorney General Barr regarding implementation of the First Step Act. The text of the letter is available here and below. April 17, 2019 The Honorable William Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr, As you know, I was the lead House Republican sponsor of the First Step Act, the most comprehensive piece of criminal justice reform legislation in a generation. This historic bill, which passed overwhelmingly through Congress and was signed into law by President Trump, has already shown promise in reducing our prison population without endangering public safety. However, as you also know, the legislation’s full effects can only be achieved if it is fully implemented. To that end, I was very encouraged to hear you speak recently at the White House about your support for the implementation of the First Step Act. I was even more encouraged when I began to see palpable action on implementation. Once fully implemented, the First Step Act will better serve our incarcerated population and make our communities safer through its recidivism reduction programs. Selecting the Independent Review Committee to assist in the development and implementation of the risk and needs assessment tools and evidence-based recidivism reduction programs is a significant step to ensure the First Step Act is implemented successfully. I look forward to working with the Hudson Institute and the individuals serving on the Independent Review Committee. The progress is not limited, however, to the selection of the Independent Review Committee. Under your leadership, the Department has undertaken numerous actions, including issuing or updating various policies and procedures to better serve our inmate population and holding listening sessions to receive input from critical stakeholders. I appreciate the recent briefing Justice Department personnel provided to my staff on the Department’s ongoing implementation efforts. In the coming weeks and months, I expect to see continued, robust activity from the Department to fully implement the First Step Act. I stand ready to partner with you in ensuring the First Step Act is fully and effectively implemented. If I can be of assistance in any way with this process, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Doug Collins cc:    The Honorable Jerrold Nadler, Chairman