FAMM's members include prisoners and their families, attorneys, judges, criminal justice experts, and concerned citizens.
In 2018, The Washington Post described FAMM as "one of the leading organizations that have pushed for criminal justice changes.
"[2] The organization's founder, Julie Stewart, started FAMM shortly after her brother was convicted of growing marijuana plants near his home and given a mandatory five year federal prison sentence.
[3] FAMM organized lobbying efforts in support of the First Step Act, a law which reforms the U.S. federal prison system and seeks to reduce recidivism and decrease the federal inmate population.
[4][5] The organizers succeeded in their efforts and the Act was passed by the 115th Congress and signed into law in December 2018.