Hearing of the House Committee on Government Reform: Confronting Recidivism: Prisoner Re-Entry Programs and a Just Future for All Americans
HEARING OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM: CONFRONTING RECIDIVISM: PRISONER RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS AND A JUST FUTURE FOR ALL AMERICANS
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Ms. Harris. Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, and thank you for scheduling this hearing on such an important issue.
Before I begin, I want to commend you, Mr. Chairman, and the members of the committee on your vision and aggressiveness
concerning this issue, and I also want to applaud Congressman Rob Portman for his outstanding leadership as well. Together,
we will produce safer communities and neighborhoods for our families.
I had the opportunity to testify before Judiciary as a witness with Congressman Portman in the last congressional session, because criminals who have used society's second chances to commit further crimes have an undeniable effect on our communities, and tragically their actions often affect our most vulnerable citizens, our children.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, of the more than 272,000 persons released from prisons in 15 States in 1994, an estimated 67.5 percent were rearrested for felonies or serious misdemeanors 3 years later. Almost one-half were reconvicted. These numbers point to a deeply troubling trend in our criminal justice system; and, more disturbing, a Department of Justice study indicates that sex offenders are four times more likely to be rearrested for sex crimes than non-sex offenders.
Last year, in my congressional district, we experienced an unspeakable tragedy that was allegedly caused by a repeat offender. A young girl, an 11-year-old, Carlie Brucia, was kidnapped, brutally raped and murdered. Following the arrest of Carlie's accused murder, we learned that this man should have been behind bars when the crime took place. He possessed a long history of criminal activity, including conviction for aggravated battery. He had been arrested 13 times and placed on
probation three times since 1993. In fact, he was in police custody on an unrelated cause when he was linked to this crime.
In response to this tragedy, I introduced legislation entitled Carlie's Law during the 108th Congress. This bill would have expanded the grounds for mandatory revocation of probation and supervised release, encompass violent felony crimes or an offense intended to facilitate unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
While we must ensure that dangerous criminals remain where they belong, in prison, I also strongly believe we must offer more opportunities for rehabilitation. Prisoners must have the opportunity to do more than sit idly. That is why I support giving prisoners the opportunity to learn a skill and achieve their GED.
The bill that Congressman Portman introduced in the 108th Congress proposed a comprehensive grant program consisting of
educational, vocational and rehabilitation opportunities for individuals that are reentering society. This legislation continues to create a meaningful effort to reduce criminal recidivism.
We might also attack this crisis by learning from outstanding successes in State and local programs. Sheriff Charlie Wells in Manatee County, FL, has operated a successful boot camp for juvenile repeat offenders since 1993. This program includes a tough physical and academic regime that focuses on rehabilitation, not abuse, and for over 10 years the Camp has reformed 55 percent of its repeat juvenile offenders.
So as we focus on examples like this and programs across the Nation, I think we can make tremendous progress in battling
criminal recidivism and focusing heavily on these issues relating to security in the 109th Congress.
Let us remember that nothing is more fundamental to this Nation than the ability of our children to walk and run and play in our communities without fear. For this reason, I look forward to this committee on the issue of criminal recidivism and prisoner reentry programs to reduce the likelihood that convicted offenders become repeat offenders.
Thank you.
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