Overcriminalization

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) today issued the following statement on the House Judiciary Committee's bipartisan criminal justice reform initiative:

Lawmakers Hear Directly From Whistleblower, Former Detainees on Terrible Conditions Faced by Women & Children Held in These Facilities

"I want to start by offering my sincere condolences to the Steinle family - who lost their daughter just three weeks ago - and to Sheriff Jones - who lost one of his deputies last Fall. You have our deepest sympathies and your losses are on each of our minds. Your presence here today is very much appreciated.

"I thank Ranking Member Conyers and Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee for their hard work to address many of the issues facing the criminal justice system. I look forward to reviewing their legislation and finding areas of common ground in order to improve our nation's criminal justice system." 
– House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte

On Wednesday, July 22, 2015, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Judiciary Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Sheila Jackson lee (D-TX) will unveil a package of legislative proposals to reform policing and youth incarceration.

WHO: House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)

House Judiciary Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)released the following joint statement after the White House announced President Obama granted commutations to 46 individuals:

"I commend Chairman Goodlatte for convening today's listening session on criminal justice reform. For decades, we in Congress reacted to the justifiable concern of our citizens about crime. We developed and enacted legislation intended to make us safer and to achieve justice. Over time, it has become increasingly apparent to citizens and public officials from across the political spectrum that some of our laws are not achieving these goals. In fact, some of them are actually counterproductive from the standpoint of public safety, fairness, and fiscal responsibility.