In a recent statement, former Donald Trump aide Steve Bannon criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting that she played a role in prolonging his prison sentence beyond his earliest possible release date. Bannon, who is currently serving a four-month sentence for defying a congressional subpoena, accused Harris of being the 'Queen of Mass Incarceration' and implied that her actions may impact her future political aspirations.
Bannon's statement, obtained through his daughter Maureen Bannon, a former US Army captain, highlighted his frustration with the Biden administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons for allegedly failing to implement the First Step Act effectively. The First Step Act, passed during the Trump administration, allows for early release of federal prisoners who are deemed non-threatening to public safety.
Under the First Step Act, Bannon's mandatory release date is October 29, but he claims that the administration has not followed through on allowing him to be released early. He pointed out that many other prisoners, particularly Black and Hispanic men, are also eligible for early release under the law but remain incarcerated due to bureaucratic challenges in calculating their earned credits.
The law allows minimum- and low-security prisoners to earn up to 15 days off their sentences each month, with a cap of 365 days. However, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has faced difficulties in accurately determining inmates' credit eligibility, leading to delays in releasing eligible individuals.
Despite his current legal troubles, Bannon has maintained his support for former President Trump and remains vocal about his presidential reelection bid. The ongoing controversy surrounding Bannon's prison sentence and his accusations against Vice President Harris underscore the complexities of criminal justice reform and the challenges in implementing legislation aimed at reducing incarceration rates.
