It encourages crime and it does not deter crime, and we have to deal with that fundamental problem. We can do so, and I have some ideas I would like to share with you. This creates crime by sending a clear message to all involved that these young offenders are getting away with their crimes. We need to end these irrational Federal mandates that require total separation. We do not need to have young offenders in the same cell with hardened criminals.
Nobody proposes that.
But on separate floors, in separate wings, separate parts of jails can be carved out where young offenders can be kept, at least for short periods of time, totally apart from adult offenders. That can and should be done, and it is the only sane and logical thing to do. I believe there is a growing consensus in America to do that, and our bill will do that. I think we can have bipartisan support to end these regulations. This will free up, at little or no cost, significant amounts of bed space for juvenile offenders.