Chuck Schumer: “I feel that we do have to have a broad and comprehensive approach to this bill. We need tough punishment, and I…”

“I feel that we do have to have a broad and comprehensive approach to this bill. We need tough punishment, and I supported more funding for prisons, and we need more cops on the beat, and we may have an amendment tomorrow on that. But we also need prevention funds because we do not want to be in a situation in our society where we incarcerate and incarcerate and incarcerate, as we sadly must, when there are violent criminals and there is no hope. If Members believe there is no hope at all, or if they believe Government should play no role in bringing hope so that young men and young women who are 12 and 13 and 14 are inevitably going to be criminals, then vote against this amendment. But I do not think most people believe that. I think most people believe, yes, there are a few who are so damaged that they will become criminals no matter what we do. But there are many who have not been given the opportunities and the parenting and everything else, who, if a reaching hand could come out through a mentoring program or through a drug treatment program or through even a place where they get to congregate and play in a constructive way, that many might be turned. The cost of these programs per individual is a heck of a lot cheaper than incarcerating them.”