ABHMS signs letter urging House passage of criminal justice reform

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/10/16)—As a member of the Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has joined other faith organizations in signing a letter that urges the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bipartisan criminal justice reform.

The letter urges passage of the Sentencing Reform Act (H.R. 3713), the Corrections and Recidivism Reduction Act (H.R. 759) and the Second Chance Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3406) to reduce harsh sentences, incentivize prison rehabilitation, ban shackling of pregnant women in federal custody and expand opportunities for Americans returning home after incarceration.

“The only way to have our voices heard is by coming together and urging Washington to move forward and act on this effort that is long overdue,” says the Rev. Fela Barrueto, ABHMS national coordinator of Prisoner Re-entry and Aftercare Ministry. “We cannot be silent now, as families are suffering the consequences of a system that neither reduces crime nor offers healthy rehabilitation measures. Please contact your representative and join us in this effort!”

Approximately 50 faith organizations have signed the letter.

For more information about ABHMS’ Prisoner Re-entry and Aftercare Ministry, visit http://www.abhms.org/ > Ministries > Justice Ministries > Ex-offender Re-entry Ministries.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.