Karen Shepherd: “Utah has a model sentencing system. Convicted criminals in the State serve just under 85 percent, 84.2 percent to be…”

“Utah has a model sentencing system. Convicted criminals in the State serve just under 85 percent, 84.2 percent to be exact, of their full sentence under indeterminant sentencing guidelines. Our system works better than almost any other in the nation, and States like Utah should not be penalized doing what works. But under the McCollum amendment, these model States would be penalized. The McCollum amendment would give states that have determinant sentencing the opportunity to participate in the new regional prison system. But Utah has a model system that works.--It achieves all the goals of truth in sentencing. By mandating that States adopt 'truth in sentencing' provisions in order to be eligible for Federal dollars in prison construction money we are essentially telling States like Utah that the Federal Government does not care whether their systems have worked, that the Federal Government arrogantly believes it knows best and that, like it or not, the States must go along--and pay the bill. Mr. Chairman, we need to work with States to reach everyone's ultimate goal--to ensure that dangerous convicted criminals serve their full term. If States are already achieving this goal, they should be rewarded, not punished. I encourage my colleagues to vote against the McCollum amendment and support the Hughes substitute.”