Representantive Chirs Smith has spear-headed the drive to decrease family planning funding for the United Nations and to decrease all U.S. funding to assist other nations with family planning. Chris Smith is unopposed, except by a low activity independent. See the last, bottom page on this website for zip codes in Chris Smith's New Jersey district. Please check your mailing lists to see if anyone might be able to run against Chris Smith from Central New Jersey.
For Hearing and Meeting Dates for Alternatives to Prison, click on Hearing and Meeting Dates, at left.
Update 11-16-01
The Proportionally Suspended Sentence bill for Virginia has been revised for 2002, and it is in the section entitled VIRGINIA 2002, below. Cosponsors and suggestions for revisons are being assembled.
Update 8-30-01:
The proposed Proportionally Suspended Sentence bill is being cirulated to groups concerned with the issue of alternatives to prison. The proposed bill has been distributed to the U. Congress House Crime Subcommittee members and to members of the Black Caucus. The latest revision is 8-30-01. The concept of 1/2 of the money saved from imprisonment to be made avaiable for funding of an alternative program, remains unchanged.
Currently permission is being solicited to have a name from each concerned organization to be placed on the latest revision, to accept phone calls from congressional staff, and to recieive updated revisons of the proposed bill.
Co-sponsors are being solicited, and the best strategy seems to be to get a number of co-sponsors before introducing the bill. anyone having a co-sponsor can leave a message at 703-425-6600, for follow-up.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission will be meeting Tuesday, September 25, 2001. Proportionally Suspended Sentences may be placed the agenda. The Public Hearing in which individuals and organizations can testify, is in March, of each year, usually the third week. The Phone Numbers are 202-502-4500 and 202-502-4590, the FAX No. is 202-502-4699.
During other times of the year, written comments may be submitted. The address is the U.S. Sentencing Commssion, 1 Columbus Circle, N.E, Room 4500, South Lobby, Washington D.C. 20002-8002
Currently the Federal Sentencing Guidelines do not provide adequate incentives for substantial alternative programs like therapeutic community drug treatment programs, and other substantial, effective programs.
As of August, 2001, The U.S. Sentencing commission has submitted 26 revisions to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which are being reviewed by Congress.
Update Of 7-23-2001
Opportunites for offenders leaving prison to utilize effective therapeutic communities as alternatives to imprisonmnet are often missed. This newsletter is to advise those concerned with an improved society, the opportunites for citizen input in thelegislative process, to advocate for the fuller utilization of alternatives to prison. Currently, July 2001, this web page is under initial construction
Virginia 2000 HB 1021, Proportional Sentencing
A Public Hearing will be held on HB 1021, and other bills, before the full House of Delegates, Courts of Justice Commitee on Monday, November 20, 2000, 10 AM or therafter, House of delegates Meeting Room C, in the General Assembly building.
Contact your local Boards of Supervisors, and Community Service Boards to contact the House Courts and Justice Committee, to support a voucher system for funding effective alternative programs, with monies saved from suspended terms of imprisonment.
