Statement From Arnold Ventures’ Juliene James on the Official Enactment of Amendments to the Federal Government’s Sentencing Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov 1, 2023) – Following enactment of the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s amendments to federal sentencing guidelines, Juliene James, vice president of criminal justice at Arnold Ventures, issued the following statement:

“The Sentencing Commission’s amendments will reduce unnecessary incarceration without jeopardizing community safety. They will help standardize the expanded compassionate release process enabled by the First Step Act and allow more people who have been abused in prison, who are serving excessive sentences, or who are sick and elderly, to return home so long as they can do so safely. We saw during the COVID pandemic how compassionate release and CARES Act home confinement were used to save lives. We are glad that the Commission used history and data to inform the new changes.” 

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. It is a team of more than 120 subject-matter experts headquartered in Houston with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. It works in five key issue areas: Criminal Justice, Education, Health, Infrastructure, and Public Finance. Its work is guided by Evidence-Based Policy, Research, and Advocacy.