The Sentancing Project
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs held a hearing last Thursday on the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009, introduced by Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.
“Our problems are systemic, widespread, and growing,” said LAPD Chief Bratton. “Only a singularly focused blue ribbon commission comprised of informed practitioners, scholars, policy makers, and civil rights activists can adequately address the calculated formation of intervention and prevention strategies.” Bratton emphasized the need for creative methods for preventing crime, some of which already exist in some cities, and could be expanded with city specific modifications.
Professor Ogletree emphasized another point on which there was widespread agreement when he explained that the current criminal justice system is not cost effective, and that a new system which was aimed at that causes of crime would save both Federal and State governments huge amounts of money. One example came out of the state of California where an after school program called L.A.'s BEST was introduced at no cost to parents.
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