[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E318-E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               VIOLENT CRIMINAL INCARCERATION ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 667) to 
     control crime by incarcerating violent criminals.
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, as it stands now, current law 
defines overcrowding in prisons as a form of cruel and 
 [[Page E319]] unusual punishment. Based on this decision the Federal 
courts have been able to place stringent standards regarding prison 
conditions that take power away from the States.
  In my home State of Texas, our State comptroller conducted an audit 
of the State's prison system. He found that as a result of Federal 
court rulings, on any given day, 6,100 beds, 14 percent of total space 
available, is vacant.
  In addition, there is drastic overcrowding at the county level, early 
release of violent criminals, and taxpayer dollars being needlessly 
wasted.
  The State audit also found that the State of Texas alone can save 
$610 million over the next 5 years by changing these federally mandated 
requirements.
  The Federal Government has no right to tell States that a cell with 
two beds can only support one criminal.
  I believe that every State knows best how to operate their prisons.
  I ask Members to vote against this amendment and support the 
provision in the bill.


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