WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Safer Supervision Act to improve efficiency of supervised release programs and reduce repeat crime and government waste. The bipartisan legislation restores Congress’ original intent for law enforcement to focus on high-risk criminals to keep America’s streets safe and for tax dollars to be spent where they are most effective. The Safer Supervision Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chris Coons (D-DE), James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS). 

“Probation officers and judges know exactly which criminals are high-risk repeat offenders in need of monitoring through supervised release,” said Senator Mike Lee. “But when runaway government programs tie judges’ hands and spread officers’ time too thin, our streets become dangerous and the same people return to prison again and again. The bipartisan Safer Supervision Act allows our law enforcement to focus on the most dangerous criminals to reduce both repeated crime and government waste at the same time.”

“Supervised release should be based on individual facts to help those who need it most integrate back into society,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “Our bill ensures supervision is imposed on those who are at higher risk of recidivism and ensures our supervision system is not overburdened.” 

“For far too long, our federal supervision system has failed to deliver real rehabilitation for those who served their time, harming former prisoners and the public as a whole,” said Senator Chris Coons. “After people complete their sentences, they deserve a fair chance to rebuild their lives. The Safer Supervision Act will help focus our resources where they're needed most, thereby improving public safety and giving all those under supervision an opportunity to succeed. I urge my colleagues and this administration to follow through on the promise of improving our justice and prison systems by taking up this bipartisan effort.”

“Oklahomans want a fair justice system that addresses violent crime and focuses on rehabilitation so individuals who are not a threat to public safety can get back to their families, jobs, and communities,” said Senator James Lankford. “I’m glad to partner with my colleagues to make these commonsense adjustments to our nation’s federal supervised release program. Supervised release is an important tool but should be tailored to the individual. We should continue to incentivize good behavior and give people second chances when they earn them.”

“Supervised release should help people turn their lives around, not trap them in red tape,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “This bill will ensure supervision is focused where it’s needed most, give people a real opportunity to rebuild their lives, and allow probation officers to focus on keeping our communities safe.”

“This legislation would return the supervision system to Congress’ original intent,” said Senator Roger Wicker. “Supervised release should be extended based on individual circumstances to those integrating back into society. Such an approach would channel more resources to improving public safety, supporting rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism.”

The bill has been endorsed by a wide range of conservative, law enforcement, and faith groups, including America First Policy Institute, Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Club for Growth, Right on Crime, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National District Attorneys Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, American Probation and Parole Association, REFORM Alliance, Unify.US, Americans for Prosperity, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Due Process Institute, Prison Fellowship, United States Conference of Mayors, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Futures Without Violence, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, and others.

“The Safer Supervision Act embodies CPAC’s conservative principles of accountability and redemption,” said Patrick Plein, Director of the Conservative Political Action Conference’s Nolan Center for Justice. “By incentivizing positive behavior and providing a path for early termination of supervision for those who have proven themselves worthy, Congress can help probation officers focus on those who really are in need of intensive supervision. This targeted approach places resources where they belong, helping stop crimes before they happen, shielding families and neighborhoods from preventable victimization. Giving probation officers these tools for success improves public safety. Advancing this legislation will make our neighborhoods safer by ensuring proactive, targeted oversight where it is needed most.”

"NDAA supports the Safer Supervision Act which emphasizes individualized assessments at the sentencing stage, leading to a more tailored and just application of supervised release,” said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association. “Additionally, the increased support for federal probation officers enables them to manage their caseloads more effectively and focus on the high-risk individuals who need close supervision. The Safer Supervision Act strikes the right balance of fairness, rehabilitation, and our unwavering commitment to public safety." 

"I am proud to stand with Senator Lee, a true Constitutionalist, in standing up for freedom and public safety,” said David McIntosh, President of Club for Growth. “Senator Lee's SAFER Supervision Act will advance the cause of freedom, enhance safety for American families, and save money for American taxpayers.  I applaud Senator Lee for continuing to lead the way.”

“Supervised release should serve one clear purpose: to improve public safety,” said Brett Tolman, Executive Director of Right On Crime and former U.S. Attorney. “Today, hundreds of thousands of Americans remain under supervision long after demonstrating rehabilitation. This outdated system wastes taxpayer dollars and strains law enforcement resources. The Safer Supervision Act restores focus and balance—prioritizing accountability, rehabilitation, and the safe reintegration of individuals into their communities.”

“The MCCA offers a strong endorsement of the Safer Supervision Act of 2025,” said Chief Harold Medina of the Albuquerque Police Department, President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. “The legislation strikes the proper balance of reform and public safety. The bill will ultimately ensure the supervised release system provides relief to non-violent offenders while holding repeat and violent offenders accountable. The MCCA thanks the bipartisan cosponsors for their leadership on this issue.” 

"The Safer Supervision Act is a commonsense, bipartisan reform that strengthens both public safety and the integrity of federal supervision. By restoring judicial discretion, incentivizing rehabilitation, and ensuring resources are focused where they’re most needed, this legislation helps our system work smarter and fairer," said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) National President Mathew Silverman.  "Just as importantly, it recognizes the vital role of Federal Probation and Pretrial Services Officers by addressing longstanding inequities and improving the support they need to manage growing caseloads. We applaud the bill sponsors for their leadership and commitment to safer, more effective supervision.”

“The SAFER Supervision Act aligns with APPA's National Standards for Community Supervision by recognizing what research and experience show — that supervision officers require manageable caseloads to reduce recidivism and keep communities safe,” said American Probation and Parole Association Executive Director and CEO Veronica Cunningham. “When caseloads are smaller, officers can concentrate on developing tailored individualized case plans that include evidence-based interventions and strategies to address underlying challenges. A widely accepted framework in community supervision, the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model, emphasizes individualized assessments as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach, relationship-based supervision, and directing resources where they are most needed. These principles enable officers to foster positive, supportive relationships, ultimately leading to better outcomes. This crucial legislation enables our federal probation officers to use the tools that research has proven to be effective and beneficial to those assigned to supervision and society as a whole.”

“Unify.US strongly supports the Safer Supervision Act,” said Timothy R. Head, President of Unify.US. “This conservative proposal updates and modernizes the federal probation system to improve community safety. The legislation was developed by conservative policymakers in the House and Senate in response to an unsustainable increase in the number of people sentenced to federal supervision after they have been incarcerated.  If enacted, it would foster accountability, incentivize good behavior, and reduce the number of cases where supervision is no longer necessary.  Making the justice system more effective without having to turn to increased spending is a hallmark of sound policy and good governance.  Unify.US is proud to stand with the authors of this important proposal."

“The Safer Supervision Act will ensure our justice system continues to hold people accountable while shifting focus to rehabilitation, community success, and breaking cycles of crime,” said Jessica Jackson, Chief Advocacy and Operations Officer at REFORM Alliance. “The evidence-based policies in this legislation build upon supervision reform laws successfully implemented in red and blue states alike that make the system work better for everyone – people on supervision, supervision officers, crime survivors, our workforce, and the entire country. REFORM Alliance is proud to be a member of the Safer Supervision Coalition endorsing this bill and we applaud the authors for taking this important step toward making communities safer, saving taxpayer dollars and improving outcomes for people on supervised release.”

“Prison Fellowship supports the Safer Supervision Act because it reflects our belief that every person has God-given dignity and the potential to change,” said Heather Rice-Minus, President & CEO, Prison Fellowship. “This legislation strengthens accountability while advancing public safety, creating a system that restores lives, supports officers, and builds safer, more hopeful communities.” 

"The Safer Supervision Act is a responsible, data-driven approach to improving federal probation and supervised release,” said Jason Pye, Vice President of Due Process Institute. “Today, too many low-risk individuals are trapped in a cycle of technical violations that waste taxpayer dollars and distract officers from focusing on real threats to public safety. This bill strengthens accountability by targeting supervision resources where they are most needed. It also reduces unnecessary incarceration and encourages rehabilitation for those who want to work and contribute to society. By modernizing outdated practices and emphasizing evidence-based oversight, the Safer Supervision Act delivers smarter justice, supports victims, and keeps communities secure without growing government or compromising safety."

Background

Approximately 110,000 individuals are currently serving federal supervised release, a form of supervision that follows incarceration. As the Supreme Court has explained, Congress designed the supervision system to be used “for those, and only those, who needed it.” In practice, however, supervised release is now imposed in virtually every case, leading to a significantly overburdened system. Probation officers report lacking the time and resources to adequately supervise high-risk individuals as they reintegrate into society. To make matters worse, the supervision system often produces counterproductive effects for low-risk defendants, inhibiting their reintegration and increasing the likelihood of recidivism.

The Safer Supervision Act will better allocate resources for improved public safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration to reduce recidivism and better support law enforcement.

The Safer Supervision Act:

• Imposes supervision based on individual case facts. Courts will be required to conduct an individualized assessment of the appropriateness of supervision and to state their reasons on the record. This will ensure supervision is imposed when warranted by the facts rather than being imposed automatically in every case.
• Creates positive incentives encouraging rehabilitation and good conduct. Current law allows individuals to seek early termination of supervision, but provides little guidance to courts on how to make that determination. This bill will create a rebuttable presumption in favor of early termination when the individual has served 50 percent of their term (or 2/3 for violent offenses), has shown good conduct and compliance, and when termination would not jeopardize public safety. This presumption would further ensure that limited supervision resources are being directed to the cases that warrant it, while also creating strong positive incentives for individuals to take necessary steps to rehabilitate and reintegrate. The bill will also remove an existing bar that prevents early termination from being requested before one year has been served. 
• Provides courts with discretion on minor controlled substance possession violations. Although supervision can always be revoked for any violation of supervision conditions, revocation and reimprisonment is mandatory in certain circumstances, including for any possession of any controlled substance. The bill will create a narrow carveout giving courts discretion regarding reimprisonment or treatment/rehabilitation for minor misdemeanor possession offenses that do not involve intent to distribute.  
• Clarifies earned time credit use parameters. Existing law inadvertently punishes people who are not sentenced to supervised release by prohibiting them from using their earned time credits in the same way as others. The bill addresses this loophole and thus helps ensure resources are directed to the largest public safety threats.