From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: U.S. Justice Dept./Violent Crime Report
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 00:12:06 GMT

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. 
 -30- 

--
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        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
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