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Testimony

Testimony in support of Washington, DC’s Revised Criminal Code Act of 2021

Passage of the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2021 would go far in aligning D.C.’s criminal penalties with criminological evidence on how to advance public safety.

Related to: Sentencing Reform, State Advocacy, Incarceration

The Sentencing Project strongly supports the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2021 (RCCA), B24-0416, because several of its features help to scale back extreme prison sentences, which are infused with racial bias and are counterproductive to public. Specifically, we commend:

  1. The elimination of all mandatory minimum sentences
  2. Lowering maximum sentences to 45 years
  3. Allowing judicial sentencing reconsideration after 15 years of imprisonment

The Sentencing Project’s Senior Research Analyst, Nazgol Ghandnoosh, testified in support of the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2021 before the the Council of the District of Columbia, Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety.

Click here to download the full testimony.

About the Author

  • Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D.

    Director of Research

    Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D., conducts and synthesizes research on criminal justice policies. She has written about racial disparities in the justice system, public opinion about punishment, and the scope of reform efforts. 

    Read more about Nazgol

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