Smith: Shorter Prison Sentences Endanger Americans

Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) today spoke at a news conference with Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and David Vitter (R-LA), former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the President of the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the FBI Agents Association, and the National Sheriffs' Association to stress why Congress should not shorten prison sentences for dangerous criminals.

Rep. Lamar Smith: "Congress should be very wary of reducing federal prison sentences. The lives and property of innocent Americans are at stake.

"Regrettably, the debate over sentencing laws has focused on the criminals. What about their victims? What about the dangers of putting these offenders back on the streets where three-quarters will commit new crimes against law-abiding citizens?

"The size of the prison population is often cited as a justification for lowering federal sentences. But federal prisoners make up only 13% of the total prison population, which is at a ten year low and is less than one-half of 1% of the United States population. So what's the pressing need to open the cell doors?

"The downward trend in crime rates is due, at least in part, to the mandatory minimum prison terms set in the 1980s. Why push for a massive prison break when the penalties are working?

Too many nonviolent offenders are incarcerated for too long, we hear, especially for drug crimes. Yet federal minimum sentences are rarely applied to low-level offenders. And over 99% of federal inmates incarcerated for drug crimes are traffickers, not simple drug possessors.

"Federal convictions as a result of plea bargains, which reduce the severity of the charge in exchange for an admission of guilt, are above 90%. Why give criminals another way to reduce their sentences?

"Some cite Texas' experience in reducing sentences as an example. But in my state the overwhelming majority of prisoners, unlike federal inmates, are nonviolent offenders. They are not dangerous drug traffickers. And Texas' recidivism rates still are significant despite their efforts.

"Criminal law should punish bad behavior, deter criminal acts, and protect the American people. Releasing prisoners before their sentences are served undermines these goals and guarantees more innocent victims."

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