The U.S. House yesterday passed a bill to create a commission that would undertake a top-to-bottom review of the nation’s criminal justice system, says its main sponsor, Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA). “Today our prison population is expanding at an alarming rate, with costs to the taxpayers that are unsustainable," Delahunt said. "The bill passed tonight will assess the current crisis, reverse these disturbing trends and help save taxpayer money."
The bill's primary sponsor in the Senate is Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA). The Senate Judiciary Committee approved it but it is awaiting floor action. Delahunt said the commission is expected to study "all areas of the criminal justice system, including federal, state, local and tribal governments’ criminal justice costs, practices, and policies," and make recommendations for change. The measure has been endorsed by about 100 organizations.
Posted by SouthPaw 47
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 11:34
As a criminal justice professional (starting and building 1 of the first drug court programs to rehabilitate the non violent chemcially addicted criminal offender I must say I am appalled. First Josh is correct, this is way more than legalizing canabis which is a crock anyway but about the true causes of criminal behavior and how we address those through sanctions and interventions that will benefit the individual and the community. Prisons and prisoners have their place and there is no doubt our systems is fragmented but to imply that we are mean and draconian as Alice stated, well you are welcome to move. As for JOhnny who states there is no problem “burning the cops” well you are just uneducated and offensive. My spouse is a law enforcement officer and trust me he does way more thatn buts dopers for smoking weed. How about the life he saved from a domestic situation by intervening in the nick of time? How about the many, many people he saved during search and rescue after the Storms of 2005? But yet he deserves to be “burned” I pray that you never need an officer to save you and in spite of you lame self they would, no matter if you are rich, poor, a doper, homeless or job blow. They would give their life for your lame butt. RevRay if you are so confident in the benefits of marijuana in its pure form, do you give it to your children? Would you give it to your two year old? I seriously doubt it. It is funny how we can project our views onto the world as a whole untile they strike close to home.
Posted by josh
Friday, August 20, 2010 12:51
this is way more than just legalizing cannabis. This means that all little things that are considered “crimes” will be looked over. This will make the prison system much smaller and much more necessary, as it will hold people that actually deserve to be there.
Posted by Congress: House Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act | Weed Review
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 04:50
[…] on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginOn Tuesday, Congressional Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 5143, the House version of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of […]
Posted by Congress: House Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act | WeedTimes.com
Friday, August 06, 2010 04:00
[…] Tuesday, Congressional Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 5143, the House version of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of […]
Posted by Libby Belgrave
Sunday, August 01, 2010 07:24
It has taken us about 15 years to go from cassettes player to MP4. At lease we have started to take a look at laws that are also outdated like cassettes player. Thank you President Obama, Rep Cohen (PA), Rep Delahunt and Sen Webb
Posted by Dave
Friday, July 30, 2010 04:29
End The War On Drugs!
Posted by Paul Armentano: House Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act : Chelsea Green
Friday, July 30, 2010 11:00
[…] Tuesday, Congressional Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 5143, the House version of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of […]
Posted by Alice
Thursday, July 29, 2010 06:55
one in 100 americans is incarcerated, the highest rate in the world.1 in 31 is under supervision or locked up.
Something-a lot of things-has to change! This is an outrageous waste and really must end.
We are a mean, draconian society &I don’t understand us..
Posted by Extensive Review of our criminal justice system and the war on drugs finally
Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:54
[…] NORML.org – On Tuesday, Congressional Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 5143, the House version of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2010. […]
Posted by Congress: House Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act
Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:08
[…] Tuesday, Congressional Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 5143, the House version of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of […]
Posted by johny green thumb
Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:03
There is absolutley no problem with burning the cops need something better to do than bust pot heads and what we love to do. They need to worry about murderers and rapist instead of spending tax payers hard earned money on a harmless drug that people and the states can benefit from.
Posted by RevRayGreen
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 07:12
the only injury or harm ot health risk from ‘smoking marijuana’ is burning your finger with a lighter. Cannabis is the fountain of youth,people live longer from using marijuana, it has been scientifically proven, it can be used as preventive medicine. In fact, it has been medically determined that cannabis in it’s raw form is one of the most safest, therapeutic substances known to man. The WEBB ACT will reveal the truth about cannabis.
Make It Legal Make It Green/WHEN 10,000 PEOPLE MAIL $4.20 TO THE IOWA BOARD OF PHARMACY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjH61Gw_AcI
Light ’Em Up – johnny reeferseed & the highrollers Feat Afroman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7K32otobOg
Posted by Matunos
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 09:43
I’m for cannabis legalization too, but I hope this would go further than that. There’s so many ridiculous laws and ridiculous uses of laws that lock people up. See this recent Economist article to see what I mean: http://www.economist.com/node/16640389
Posted by Jacob Grohoske
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 09:24
I hope this leads to cannabis being taken off the schedule 1 list. Just think of all the money to be saved from not having to prosecute for simple possession. The money saved from not incarcerating. The money police use would be put to better use chasing REAL criminals. And the money to be GENERATED from the sale and taxation.
Posted by malinda logsdon
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 09:10
I believe that this is long overdue bravo ! President Obama,heres that change you promised us.
Posted by tuna
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 09:08
End cannabis prohibition