Daniel Brown was released early from federal prison in 2020, after serving 15 years of a 42-year sentence for drug and firearm possession offenses. Determined not to waste this second chance, he has since stayed out of trouble, works as a project manager at a construction company, and is happily married with children.
However, like many federal offenders, Brown was sentenced to 10 years of supervision following his release. This means he is monitored by federal probation officers, subjected to random drug tests, travel restrictions, and required pre-approval for basic freedoms.
Despite his impeccable compliance over the past four years, Brown feels frustrated by the limitations of his supervised release. He follows the rules diligently, knowing that one slip-up could send him back to prison for the remainder of his sentence.
Recognizing the flaws in the current system, a bipartisan bill called the Safer Supervision Act has been introduced to streamline the federal supervised release process. This legislation aims to provide individuals like Brown with a clear path to earning early termination of their supervision.
The bill proposes individual assessments of supervision appropriateness, opportunities for early termination petitions after serving half of the term, and discretion for judges to avoid revocations for minor violations. Supporters believe this will reduce system strain, incentivize good behavior, and lower recidivism rates.
With the backing of law enforcement organizations, the Safer Supervision Act offers hope for individuals like Brown who have demonstrated their readiness to reintegrate into society. It seeks to restore the original purpose of supervised release and create a more efficient and effective system for all stakeholders.
As federal supervision caseloads continue to grow, reforming the system is crucial to prevent it from becoming a punitive extension of punishment rather than a tool for rehabilitation and reentry support.
She was placed on supervision, which included the lengthy intake process, home visits, and the whole procedure.
“I think we’re better off supervising individuals like sex offenders, terrorists, or those convicted of serious crimes, rather than someone like her who may never be in trouble again,” Burris comments. “She had a clean record.”
For Brown, the restrictions hinder his efforts to lead a normal life. For example, he oversees a contract between his company and a nearby Air Force base, but due to supervised release, he is not permitted on military premises.
“I can’t attend meetings on the base, so I have to delegate to project managers and explain to the contract holders why I can’t be there,” Brown explains. “It really limits me.”
However, the situation worsens for Brown when he and his wife become foster parents, only to have the children removed from their home after his probation officer discovered their status.
“It was incredibly traumatic after ensuring those children were safe and settled,” Brown reflects.
The REFORM Alliance’s Haney recalls an incident involving Judith Negron, a woman granted clemency by former President Donald Trump, who faced consequences for associating with other clemency recipients, including Kim Kardashian, at a White House event.
Technical violations, like Negron’s unintentional breach, accounted for a significant portion of revoked supervision cases in recent years, leading advocates to push for judges to have more discretion in avoiding mandatory revocations.
Meanwhile, individuals like Brown, who demonstrate perfect compliance, continue to consume government resources.
“I have not needed any assistance in the past four years and won’t in the next six,” Brown states, “yet I remain a small part of the system, consuming time and energy.”
Source link
