H.R. 61

The Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2009

Introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) on January 6, 2009, H.R. 61, the Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2009, would direct the Bureau of Prisons to release individuals from prison who have served 50 percent or more of his or her term of imprisonment if that prisoner (1) is 45 years of age or older; (2) has never been convicted of a crime of violence; and (3) has not engaged in any violation, involving violent conduct, of institutional disciplinary regulations.  The bill is intended to reduce overcrowding in federal and give those nonviolent offenders who are over the age of 45 a second chance.

The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. There is no companion bill in the Senate and the bill is not currently scheduled for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee. FAMM supports this legislation.