When Donald Trump ran for President in 2016, he introduced himself as a hardliner on crime. He positioned himself as a candidate who would initiate a national anti-crime agenda, tighten immigration policies, and bring “very strong, very swift” law and order to America. This rhetoric reverberated through his campaign, raising concerns among Democrats and advocates for criminal justice reform.

Law and Order vs. Compassion

During his campaign, Trump famously declared, “I am the law and order candidate,” punctuating it with a seemingly contradictory assertion: “I am also the candidate of compassion.” This dual messaging did little to alleviate fears that his administration would lead to an aggressive crackdown on crime, further alarming those who were worried about civil rights implications and systemic injustices.

The First Step Act: A Bipartisan Effort

Despite initial reservations, human rights attorney and CEO of the REFORM Alliance, Jessica Jackson, found herself working with the Trump administration in 2018 to promote the First Step Act. “First and foremost, I’m a Democrat,” Jackson remarked in an interview, reflecting on the unusual nature of her collaboration at the time.

The First Step Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at reducing the federal prison population, addressing disproportionate sentencing, promoting rehabilitation, and offering certain inmates the chance for early release. Jackson was part of a diverse coalition comprising police organizations, faith leaders, prosecutors, and celebrities, advocating vigorously for the bill.

Ultimately, their combined efforts bore fruit, and Trump signed the First Step Act into law in December 2018. The law received widespread acclaim for its ability to decrease federal incarceration rates and notably reduce recidivism—the tendency of former inmates to re-offend.

Impact of the First Step Act

According to Jackson, the First Step Act has had a remarkable impact, reducing recidivism rates from approximately 49% to as low as 9.7% for those assisted by the legislation. A report from the Brennan Center for Justice in 2024 suggests a comparable reduction, indicating a drop from 46.2% to 9.7%. Jackson observed, “The biggest lesson that I learned in the first administration was if you engage with the administration, there are opportunities to make progress on the issues that you care about.”

Looking Ahead: The Safer Supervision Act

As Trump approaches a potential second term, Jackson and other criminal justice advocates see a renewed opportunity to collaborate, particularly around the Safer Supervision Act. This bipartisan initiative aims to assist formerly incarcerated individuals in their transitions back into society. Proponents argue it is a necessary follow-up to the successful First Step Act.

The Safer Supervision Act seeks to address the significant challenges faced by ex-inmates who often struggle to reintegrate into their communities. These challenges frequently include limited job prospects, a lack of consistent support structures, and the burdensome nature of parole and probation requirements.

Many ex-offenders find themselves trapped in a cycle of re-incarceration due to misunderstandings around their parole conditions. Jackson recounted an instance of a former inmate who, after working diligently to save for a car, discovered—unbeknownst to him—that he needed prior approval from a supervising officer to open a bank account. This miscommunication ultimately led to a violation of his supervision, resulting in his return to prison.

Challenging Statistics and Path Forward

Recidivism is a significant problem in the United States. A recent Justice Department analysis indicated a staggering 82% of individuals released from prisons in 24 states were rearrested within ten years of their release, while 43% were rearrested within just one year. Jackson underscores the need for reforms to prevent these bleak outcomes. “We want to see progress on criminal justice reform initiatives, such as the Safer Supervision Act and measures promoting second-chance hiring,” she asserted.

The Way Forward: Continuing Conversations

When asked about her discussions with Trump’s transition team, Jackson shared a knowing laugh. “Everyone keeps asking if I’ve talked to anyone over there?” she said. “We forged a strong coalition and continued to engage. We never really stopped talking.” She expressed optimism about the potential for future collaboration. “We are excited about continuing these conversations and pushing for progress wherever possible.”