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Sheldon Whitehouse on Crime
Democratic Jr Senator, previously attorney general
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Firm believer in prison re-entry programs upon release
Q: What would you do to lower the US prison population and the ongoing discrimination facing people of color in the criminal justice system? A: I’m a firm believer in re-entry programs that help people released from prison find jobs, housing, and
education and turn their lives around. I also strongly support drug treatment and intervention initiatives, like drug courts, that offer alternative sentencing for non-violent, drug-related offenses.
Source: RIfuture.org blog
, Sep 12, 2006
Rules out death penalty for juveniles
“If there’s somebody who’s 17 years old who’s acting under a mental disease or defect, I would not support the death penalty for a 17-year-old,” Guglietta said at the news conference. “However, if there’s a 14-year-old who has an IQ of 150, who
committed a premeditated act, then I think that’s supportive of the death penalty.” Guglietta’s Democratic rival strenuously disagreed with him. Former U.S. Attorney Sheldon Whitehouse ruled out capital punishment for juveniles.
Source: FindLaw.com blog
, Jan 1, 2006
Prosecuted gang members as U.S. Attorney
As U.S. Attorney, Sheldon successfully prosecuted members of the Latin Kings gang, and created new programs in schools and neighborhoods to make Rhode Island’s streets safer.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website WhitehouseForSenate.com “About”
, Dec 25, 2005
Evidence to exonerate trumps journalistic privacy
Q: Last year veteran investigative journalist Jim Taricani was found guilty of criminal contempt for not naming his source regarding the corruption trial of then-Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci. Do you think justice is served by prosecuting journalists?
A: Except in very specific ways set out by law, the justice system is entitled to what’s called “every person’s evidence.” So, if someone is prosecuted for a crime that might entail a long jail sentence or even the death penalty, and if a journalist
has information proving he’s innocent, you want to get that information out.
Q: The perception among journalists is that unnamed sources are, or ought to be, subject to the same confidentiality as the doctor-patient privilege.
A: At present there
is no newsperson’s privilege in the same way that there’s a doctor/patient privilege. The fight should be to get the determination made as to when and where the shield law or newsperson’s privilege is appropriate.
Source: ePluribusMedia.org Interview
, Aug 12, 2005
Federal death penalty ok; but not at state level
When asked about the death penalty being applied in a local car-jacking murder case, Whitehouse was “I was comfortable” applying it to the shooters in the federal trial because it respected the wishes of the murder victim’s families.
However, he doesn’t think the state should adopt the death penalty because it would take an enormous amount of procedural protection, he said.
Source: InsidePolitics.org
, Mar 2, 2002
Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program.
Amendment would increase funding for the COPS Program to $1.15 billion for FY 2008 to provide state and local law enforcement with critical resources. The funding is offset by an unallocated reduction to non-defense discretionary spending.Proponents recommend voting YES because:
This amendment reinstates the COPS Program. I remind everyone, when the COPS Program was functioning, violent crime in America reduced 8.5% a year for 7 years in a row. Throughout the 1990s, we funded the COPS Program at roughly $1.2 billion, and it drove down crime. Now crime is rising again. The COPS Program in the crime bill worked, and the Government Accounting Office found a statistical link between the COPS grants and a reduction in crime.
The Brookings Institution reported the COPS Program is one of the most cost-effective programs we have ever had in this country. Local officials urgently need this support.
Opponents recommend voting NO because:
The COPS Program has some history. It was started by President Clinton. He asked for 100,000 police officers. He said that when we got to 100,000, the program would stop. We got to 110,000 police officers and the program continues on and on and on.
This program should have ended 5 years ago or 6 years ago, but it continues. It is similar to so many Federal programs that get constituencies that go on well past what their original purpose was. It may be well intentioned, but we cannot afford it and we shouldn't continue it. It was never thought it would be continued this long.
Reference: Biden Amendment;
Bill S.Amdt.529 on S.Con.Res.21
; vote number 2007-110
on Mar 23, 2007
Establish a domestic violence volunteer attorney network.
Whitehouse co-sponsored establishing a domestic violence volunteer attorney network
National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network Act - Authorizes grants to the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence to work in collaboration with the American Bar Association Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and other organizations to create, recruit lawyers for, and provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance for a National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network.
Requires the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice to designate five states in which to implement the pilot program of a National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Referral Project and distribute funds under this Act.
Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report to Congress on the scope and quality of legal representation and advocacy for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, including the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
Source: Domestic Violence Attorney Network Act (S.1515/H.R.6088) 07-S1515 on May 24, 2007
Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance.
Whitehouse co-sponsored reducing recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance
Recidivism Reduction and Second Chance Act of 2007- Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand provisions for adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects to provide expanded services to offenders and their families for reentry into society.
- Directs the Attorney General to award grants for:
- state and local reentry courts;
- Comprehensive and Continuous Offender Reentry Task Forces;
- pharmacological drug treatment services to incarcerated offenders;
- technology career training for offenders;
- mentoring services for reintegrating offenders into the community;
- pharmacological drug treatment services to incarcerated offenders;
- prison-based family treatment programs for incarcerated parents of minor children; and
- a study of parole or post-incarceration supervision violations and revocations.
Legislative Outcome: Became Public Law No: 110-199.
Source: Second Chance Act (S.1060/H.R.1593) 08-S1060 on Mar 29, 2007
Rated 73% by the NAPO, indicating a moderate stance on police issues.
Whitehouse scores 73% by the NAPO on crime & police issues
Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.
"Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation’s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO’s accomplishments:
- Enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act
- Enactment of the National AMBER Alert Act
- Enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
- Enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
- Enactment of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (Right to Carry Legislation)
VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:
- 0%-50%: soft on crime and police issues;
- 50%-75%: mixed record on crime and police issues;
- 75%-100%: tough on crime and police issues.
Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014
Page last updated: Jun 11, 2018