Bill Overview
Title: Second Look Act of 2022
Description: 2022 This bill allows a defendant who has served at least 10 years in prison to petition a federal court for a sentence reduction. Specifically, a court may reduce the prison term for a defendant if (1) the imposed prison term was more than 10 years; (2) the defendant has served at least 10 years in custody; and (3) the court finds that the defendant is not a danger to public safety, is ready for reentry, and the interests of justice warrant a sentence modification. The bill outlines the factors a court may consider in reducing a prison term. Further, the bill creates a rebuttable presumption of release for a defendant who is 50 years of age or older on the date of the petition.
Sponsors: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals serving more than 10 years in federal prison worldwide
Estimated Size: 75000
- The bill focuses on federal defendants who have served at least 10 years in prison.
- It creates a pathway for those defendants, who meet certain criteria, to petition for a reduced sentence.
- The key beneficiaries are individuals in federal prison serving long-term sentences exceeding 10 years.
- Statistically, the U.S. has a significant prison population, with many serving long sentences, making this a considerable target group.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, thousands of federal inmates are currently serving sentences longer than 10 years, and many of them may seek to benefit from this bill.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets federal inmates who have served more than 10 years.
- Many of these inmates would be middle-aged or older, impacting their reentry opportunities and societal reintegration.
- This policy potentially affects not only the inmates but their families and communities.
- There is a diverse range of inmates in terms of age, backgrounds, and reasons for imprisonment, affecting how the policy impacts their wellbeing.
- The implementation budget suggests a focus on a fraction of the total eligible inmates, given the scale of the prison population affected.
- The presumption of release for individuals over 50 could expedite release processes, improving wellbeing faster for older inmates.
Simulated Interviews
former electrician (Chicago, IL)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy will help me reintegrate better into society.
- I worry about finding a job and rebuilding my life after all this time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
retired teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The possibility of release brings hope for spending time with my grandchildren.
- However, I am concerned about my health care post-release.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
mechanic (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy helps people like me who have worked hard to rehabilitate themselves.
- I'm optimistic about starting anew, but I know it won't be easy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
sales associate (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm anxious about reentry, especially regarding my financial record.
- I hope this policy helps me gain a second chance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
business owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help reduce unnecessary incarceration.
- I’m hopeful about contributing positively to my community again.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
healthcare worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Early release would help me reconnect with my children.
- I am afraid of societal judgment impacting my future opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
construction worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope to use my skills to help others avoid mistakes like mine.
- The reentry process seems daunting but I'm optimistic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
artist (Detroit, MI)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill gives people like me a second shot at life.
- I'm excited and nervous about how I'll be received on the outside.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
chef (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a way to rebuild my life.
- It's a big change to adjust to life after such a long time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
non-profit coordinator (Portland, OR)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I look forward to continuing my advocacy work outside.
- This policy reflects society's shift towards rehabilitation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $28000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Key Considerations
- The significant inmate population currently serving long-term sentences.
- Potential benefits in reducing the aging inmate population's healthcare costs.
- Balancing administrative costs with potential savings from lower incarceration expenses.