Kuster Backs Criminal Justice Reform Efforts, Calls for Additional Action in the New Congress

(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement after voting in favor of bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation.

“Over incarceration has needlessly filled our prisons and destroyed communities. The First Step Act is the beginning of necessary changes to our broken criminal justice system. I was proud to support these bipartisan reforms, but this cannot be the end of the road. In the new Congress, we must continue to build on this cooperation to make meaningful improvements to our criminal justice system, so it better serves the purpose of improving public safety and helping people rebuild their lives and become productive members of their communities. An important aspect of that change is ensuring that individuals suffering from substance use disorder can access treatment and recovery services during incarceration. I’ve worked with Republicans and Democrats to craft legislation that would expand treatment in prison facilities, which saves taxpayer dollars, saves lives, and reduces recidivism. I look forward to pursuing this win-win-win legislation in the new Congress.”

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