[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO REESTABLISH THE U.S. PAROLE COMMISSION

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                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, Congress voted to abolish the 
parole system when it passed the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984.
  In the rush to close the revolving door for repeat offenders, 
Congress slammed the door on all non-violent offenders. Today, 
individuals in prison have little hope. Many serve 5, 10, 20, and even 
30-year sentences without the possibility of parole. They have no 
encouragement to take classes or any other steps to improve themselves.
  Congress needs to find a way to help individuals who have paid their 
debt to society and were given excessive sentences due to mandatory 
sentencing laws.
  I urge my colleagues to consider the case of Terri ``Chrissy'' 
Taylor. As a teenager, Chrissy fell prey to the will of a man nearly 
twice her age. Chrissy became a pawn of this man, and he used her to 
obtain the chemicals he needed to manufacture methamphetamine. Chrissy 
never dealt, trafficked, or manufactured drugs. She was convicted of 
purchasing legal chemicals with the ``intention'' of using them to 
manufacture methamphetamine. Under the mandatory minimum sentencing 
guidelines, the judge had no choice but to give Chrissy a 20-year 
sentence.
  We need to make sure no one is forced to spend years in prison 
without any hope.
  My bill reestablishes the U.S. Parole Commission. The commission will 
grant parole to reformed prisoners who have earned parole. This is not 
an open door policy. Rehabilitated prisoners shall be eligible for 
parole only after serving one third of their term or after serving ten 
years of a life sentence.
  Shortly after sentencing, the commission will give prisoners 
tentative release dates. The commission can change or revoke the 
release date based on the prisoners' institutional conduct record. This 
will be a ``hook'' to encourage prisoners to rehabilitate themselves. 
Additionally, judges will have the ability to send criminals to prison 
without the possibility of parole. This make sure judges have the power 
to ensure meaningful prison sentences for criminals who commit the most 
egregious crimes.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill and give individuals a 
chance to rehabilitate themselves and rejoin our society. This bill 
will free the hands of judges who are forced to assign excessive 
mandatory minimums to individuals whose sentences do not match their 
crimes.

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