Criminal Justice: Timeline
Discover the history of CBC activism on criminal justice issues including police brutality, drug trafficking, sentencing and prison reform.
1963
The Committee on the District of Columbia releases a crime report that outlines the significant increase of crime in Washington, D.C.
1967
The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Assistance Act of 1967 aka “The Omnibus Crime Bill” is introduced.
1971
At the Attica Correctional Facility in New York, Attica inmates take 38 prison guards hostage. Four days later, 39 people were dead, including correctional officers, civil employees, and prisoners. This served as the catalyst for future work on prison reform led by the Congressional Black Caucus.
1971
President Richard Nixon declares a “War on Drugs” at a press conference and kicks off campaign to reduce the illegal drug trade through increasing penalties and prison sentences for both drug dealers and users.
1974
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 recognized the importance of providing special care for juveniles in the criminal justice system.
1984
The Sentencing Reform Act is signed into law by President Reagan.
1986
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 is signed into law by President Reagan.
1988
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 is signed into law by President Reagan.
1989
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) introduces the Racial Justice Act.
1994
President Clinton passes Crime Bill. There is contention about the bill within the CBC.
1995
Hampton University student Kemba Smith is sentenced to 25 years in prison on crack cocaine charges.
2006
Six black teenagers from Jena High School in Jena, Louisiana were convicted in the beating of a fellow white student, Justin Barker. Initially charged with attempted second-degree murder, the charges were later reduced following advocacy efforts of organizations including the CBC, NAACP, churches, and student-led protests on college and university campuses across America.
2007
The Second Chance Act is introduced by Rep. Danny Davis and later signed into law in 2008.
2010
Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 becomes law. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) reduces the sentencing disparity between federal criminal penalties for crack cocaine and powder cocaine from a ratio of 100:1 to 18:1.
2020
CBC leads introduction of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and the Jobs and Justice Act of 2020. Both bills include provisions to address police use of force and other criminal justice reform issues.
2022
The Emmett Till Antilynching Act, introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), is signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden.