Webb, Specter Introduce Bill to Overhaul America’s Criminal Justice System
May 5th, 2009 • Category: NewsParade Sunday March 29, 2009
Here is an excerpt from the article in Parade by Senator Jim Webb. Great job by Senator Webb on reviewing our Criminal Justice System. To read the full article click the following link: http://webb.senate.gov/email/incardocs/parade_jimwebb.pdf
“Drug offenders, most of
them passive users or minor
dealers, are swamping
our prisons. According to
data supplied to Congress’
Joint Economic Committee,
those imprisoned for
drug offenses rose from 10%
of the inmate population to
approximately 33% between
1984 and 2002. Experts
estimate that this increase
accounts for about half of
the dramatic escalation in
the total number imprisoned
over that period. Yet locking up more of
these offenders has done nothing to break up
the power of the multibillion-dollar illegal drug
trade. Nor has it brought about a reduction in the
amounts of the more dangerous drugs—such as
cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines—that
are reaching our citizens.
Justice statistics also show that 47.5% of all
the drug arrests in our country in 2007 were for
marijuana offenses. Additionally, nearly 60%
of the people in state prisons serving time for
a drug offense had no history of violence or of
any significant selling activity. Indeed, four out
of five drug arrests were for possession of illegal
substances, while only one out of five
was for sales. Three-quarters of the
drug offenders in our state prisons
were there for nonviolent or purely
drug offenses. And although experts
have found little statistical difference
among racial groups regarding actual
drug use, African-Americans—who make up
about 12% of the total U.S. population—accounted
for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59%
of those convicted, and 74% of all drug offenders
sentenced to prison”
Also see the video of his presentation at http://webb.senate.gov/
