The Pete Peterson Institute just did a survey. 56 percent of the people, bipartisan, in every part of the country favored this concept.

I think you just solved the answer of prison rehab-- I think that is the answer.

I think we need a best practices list and someone has to say what are the most successful programs.

the gang issue, if you are part of a gang and you come out, you may then--if you are having a hard time, and the comment I wanted to make is I guess you are going to have a harder time now with the economy being what it is.

Well, maybe what we could do, Mr. Chairman, if my amendment is successful to be carried and we can convince the Congress, we could take the money that goes into Prison Industries and thus reclaiming industries that are no longer in the…

You cannot have a person come out and not have a job.

Would it make sense to take some of the money that we have under the incarceration punishment category and shift it into rehabilitation but also shift it into rehabilitation after they leave?

William Wilberforce started prison reform in Great Britain. I mean, we are working toward it.

I think the initial purpose of the faith based was that the churches, the synagogues, the mosques would then come around the person once they left the prison so there was a continuity.

I was involved in a program called Man To Man where we would go down to Lorette Reformatory which was a pit.

I was the author of the Prison Rape bill.

I think this is the most impressive testimony that I have heard since I have served in this institution on the issue of prison reform.

I have read that the recidivism rate--they operate a couple of prisons, one down in Texas. They have one of the lowest recidivism record.

I mean, we have spent so much money and we are dealing with live individuals who are, you know, made in the image of God.

I do not think they have improved.

I am going to offer an amendment to require or allow an increase in work, a demonstration project whereby they will make products that are no longer made in the United States.

To find employment is the answer.

I think you have a right to be as mad as hell that we cannot provide security for our prison guards.