President Trump on Friday called on Congress to deliver him a prison reform bill for him to sign.
Speaking at a White House prison reform summit, Trump called for a compromise to “restore the rule of law, keep dangerous criminals off our street, and help inmates get a second chance on life.”
{mosads}The legislation being considered in the House aims to reduce prison recidivism rates. It would allow prisoners to finish their sentences in a halfway house, home confinement or under community supervision if they complete education, job training, drug treatment and other programs while behind bars.
Trump said the “stigma” of being an ex-convict hurts prisoners looking to return to society.
“There is no substitute for personal accountability and there is no tolerance for those who take advantage of society’s generosity to prey upon the innocent,” Trump said.
“But if we want more prisoners to take charge of their own lives, then we should work to give them the tools to stand on their own two feet,” Trump said.
Directing his remarks at lawmakers, Trump told Congress to send him a bill to sign, promising it will be “the best of its kind anywhere in the world.”
“As we speak, legislation is working through Congress to reform out federal prisons. My administration strongly supports these efforts and I urge the House and Senate to get together … work out their differences, get a bill to my desk. I will sign it,” he said.
“It’s going to be strong, it’s going to be good. You’re all in line, you’re all looking for the same thing. So we’re going to have something that’s going to make you very proud. Like we do with veterans’ choice, we want the finest prison reform you can have anywhere.”
Despite the optimistic tone, the White House’s prison reform plan faces a tough road in the Senate. While the bill has passed the House Judiciary Committee, top senators on both sides of the aisle want to pair the prison reforms with changes to mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses.
That change would likely face opposition from the administration, particularly from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
The prison reform bill has been a top initiative for White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, who is also the president’s son-in-law.