NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #16/NN_1992_16.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/5465

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Subject: Attorney General Barr Announces Violent Crime Report
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Press release from U.S. Department of Justice

 Attorney General Barr Announces Violent Crime Report
 To: National Desk
 Contact: U.S. Department of Justice, Public Affairs, 202-514-2007

   WASHINGTON, July 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Attorney General William P.
Barr today released a blueprint for fighting violent crime at the
state and local level in a report titled "Combating Violent Crime:
24 Recommendations to Strengthen Criminal Justice."
   The report highlights the success of tough law enforcement and the
need for continued legal reform.
   In announcing the report, the attorney general was joined by John
Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted"; Robert J. Del Tufo, attorney
general of New Jersey; Robert Macy, president, National District
Attorneys Association; Frank Policaro, president, National Sheriffs
Association; Roland Vaughn, president, International Association of
Chiefs of Police; John Gillis, chairman of the California Board of
Prison Terms; and Collene Thompson Campbell, president, M.O.V.E. (In
Memory of Victims Everywhere).
   "Police, prosecutors and law enforcement officials at the state
and local level are doing a tremendous job fighting violent crime in
America.  But in too many cases, their state criminal justice system
is letting them down.  The sad truth is that most convicted violent
criminals are returning to the streets after alarmingly short periods
of time in prison.  We must stop the revolving door justice that is
undermining the good work of the men and women on the front lines of
the war on crime and drugs," said the attorney general.
   The report is an important part of the administration's attack on
violent crime.  Barr has stated repeatedly in recent months that a
successful strategy for fighting violent crime must include:
1) reforming the federal and state criminal justice systems:
2) maximizing resources for law enforcement; 3) seeking the greatest
impact possible through cooperative efforts by federal, state and
local law enforcement aimed at specific problems such as organized
crime, gangs, drug trafficking, felons who use firearms and the
capture of fugitives; and 4) integrating law enforcement with social
and economic revitalization in targeted inner-city neighborhoods.
   The 24 recommendations contained in the report were developed in
conjunction with state and local law enforcement experts and are
divided into six groups: establishing pretrial detention; providing
effective deterrence and punishment of all adult offenders; providing
effective deterrence and punishment of juvenile offenders; providing
efficient trial, appeal, and collateral attack procedures; providing
for effective prevention and detection of crime; and providing
adequate protection for victims' rights.
   Included in these groups are specific recommendations to:
   -- Adopt mandatory minimum penalties for gun offenders, armed
      career criminals and habitual violent offenders;
   -- Provide sufficient prison and detention capacity to support
      the criminal justice system;
   -- Adopt drug testing throughout the criminal justice
      system;
   -- Increase the ability of the juvenile justice system to treat
      the small group of chronic violent juvenile offenders as
      adults;
   -- Permit victims to require HIV testing before trial of persons
      charged with sex offenses.
   Included in the report is a tear-out citizen's checklist
containing questions which should be posed to state and local leaders
about their criminal justice systems.  The list addresses such issues
as asset forfeiture, victim restitution and victim rights, and
allowing admission of a defendant's sexual violence history in cases
of rape or child molestation.
   Barr emphasized that the first duty of government is to protect
the safety of its citizens.  "Ninety-five percent of violent crime in
America is handled at the state and local level.  The primary goal of
the criminal justice system must be to identify and incarcerate the
hardened, chronic offenders who are responsible for a staggering
number of crimes in this country.  Unfortunately, unless we reform
state criminal justice systems we will be unable to achieve that
goal," he said.
   Single copies of the report, "Combating Violent Crime: 24
Recommendations to Strengthen Criminal Justice," (NCJ-137713) may be
obtained from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse, Box
6000, Rockville, Md., 20850.  The toll-free telephone number is
800-732-3277.
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