I am committed to initiating a serious dialogue and raising public awareness about the U.S. criminal justice system and incarceration policies. Over the past two years, I have held a number of Senate hearings, hosted a symposium of experts at George Mason University and delivered the keynote address for a Brookings Institute panel at the National Press Club on this pressing issue.

This year I plan to introduce legislation to launch a comprehensive review of our criminal justice system. It is imperative that a national commission take an overarching look at where the system is broken and how we fix it. To start, focus must be placed on locking up the most dangerous people instead of diverting time and money to incarcerate the wrong people. This means making sharp distinctions between offenders of violent crimes and those incarcerated for non-violent crimes, drug abuse and mental illness.

This challenge of criminal justice reform demands dedicated attention and viable solutions.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

• Joint Economic Committee Hearing, conducted by Senator Webb, "Mass Incarceration in the United States: At What Cost?" October 2007 »
• Joint Economic Committee Hearing, conducted by Senator Webb, "Illegal Drugs: Economic Impact, Societal Costs, and Policy Responses," June 2008 »
• George Mason University Symposium, hosted by Senator Webb and the GMU Administration of Justice Department, "Drugs in America: Trafficking, Policy and Sentencing," October 2008 »
• Senator Webb's Keynote Address to the Brookings Institution's Policy Roundtable on the Challenges to Prisoner Re-entry, December 2008 »
• Overview of the United States Prison System: Key Points & Facts »

NEWS ARTICLES

• New York Times Editorial: "Sen. Webb's Call for Prison Reform" »
• Washington Post: "Webb Sets His Sights On Prison Reform" »
• U.S. News & World Report: "James Webb Shows Leadership Regarding Prison Reform" »
• The Virginian Pilot Editorial: "Time to Rethink Goals of Prison" »
• Roanoke Times Editorial: "The Criminal Justice System Needs Help" »
• Daily Press: "Alternative to Jail for Addicts Gains New Supporter" »
• The Virginian Pilot: "Senator Elevates Debate on Failed Drug, Prison Policies" »
• Las Vegas Sun Editorial: "Voice for Broken Prisons" »
• Washington Post Op-Ed: "Two Separate Societies: One in Prison, One Not" »
• The Roanoke Times Editorial: "A Sensible Call for Sentencing Reform" »

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