Project for Opportunity and Safety

Senator Cornyn: “It’s Time For Criminal Justice Reform On The Federal Level”

At The American Enterprise Institute, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn Discussed The Need For Congress To Pass The Sentencing Reform And Corrections Act

• Senator Cornyn: “The Main Takeaway I Want To Leave Folks With Is This: It’s Time For Criminal Justice Reform On The Federal Level.” “The main takeaway I want to leave folks with is this: it’s time for criminal justice reform on the federal level. It’s already made a big difference in several conservative states and it has the power to make communities safer, save taxpayer dollars, and transform the lives of individuals.” (John Cornyn, “It’s Time for Criminal Justice Reform,” Medium, 6/21/16)  “The Sentencing Reform And Corrections Act, Legislation I’ve Introduced In The Senate, Takes Many Of The Lessons Learned In The States And Applies Them To The Federal Justice System.” “The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, legislation I’ve introduced in the Senate, takes many of the lessons learned in the states and applies them to the federal justice system. For starters, it’s a bipartisan bill. It turns out criminal justice reform is a uniting topic for many of my colleagues—even in the midst of such a divisive time.” (John Cornyn, “It’s Time for Criminal Justice Reform,” Medium, 6/21/16)  
• “The Bill Re-Targets And Reduces Some Mandatory Minimums And Sentencing Enhancements To Make Sure Law Enforcement Directs Resources Towards Locking Up Violent And Career Criminals, Instead Of Non-Violent, Low-Level Drug Offenders.” “The bill re-targets and reduces some mandatory minimums and sentencing enhancements to make sure law enforcement directs resources towards locking up violent and career criminals, instead of non-violent, low-level drug offenders. Now the argument has been made by some that if this bill were to pass, it would have the opposite effect – violent crime would increase. They claim that if this bill becomes law, cell doors will swing open across the country, sending hardened criminals back into their communities to go on a crime spree. Well, that didn’t happen in Texas; it didn’t happen in Georgia; and it didn’t happen in North Carolina, either.” (John Cornyn, “It’s Time for Criminal Justice Reform,” Medium, 6/21/16)  
• “The Legislation Overhauls Our Federal Prison System So That A Greater Emphasis Is Placed On Rehabilitation.” “And importantly, the legislation overhauls our federal prison system so that a greater emphasis is placed on rehabilitation, so that all federal prisoners can benefit from proven programs like SER, and reduce their risk of re-incarceration. That means they’ll also leave prison less likely to commit crimes – making our communities safer too.” (John Cornyn, “It’s Time for Criminal Justice Reform,” Medium, 6/21/16)  

Cornyn Noted That It Is Possible To Be Both Tough On Crime And Reduce Mandatory Minimum Sentences

• “Cornyn Said The Bill Allows For Judicial Review Of Mandatory Minimum Sentences On A Case-By-Case Basis.” “Cornyn said the bill allows for judicial review of mandatory minimum sentences on a case-by-case basis. He said the savings from reducing incarceration rates among those who are open to changing their lives for the better would allow the government to focus federal incarceration funds on the country’s most hardened criminals.” (Mariana Barillas, “GOP Senator: Fight Crime By Reducing Minimum Sentences,” Washington Examiner, 6/20/16)“[The Sentencing Reform And Corrections Act Of 2016] Does Not Allow For Anyone Currently Incarcerated To Be Automatically Released.” “‘[The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2016] does not allow for anyone currently incarcerated to be automatically released … and I assure you that jail cells will not swing open and people will not get out of jail free and criminals will not be loosed onto our communities throughout the country,’ said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Monday at an event highlighting the federal prison reform bill he is co-sponsoring.” (Mariana Barillas, “GOP Senator: Fight Crime By Reducing Minimum Sentences,” Washington Examiner, 6/20/16)

Cornyn Reiterated The Need To Remember The Human Impact Of Our Criminal Justice System

Cornyn: “But Amidst All The Statistics And Facts, There’s Another Benefit That Can Be Overlooked: Reforming Our Criminal Justice System Can Change People’s Lives.” (John Cornyn, “It’s Time for Criminal Justice Reform,” Medium, 6/21/16)  

• “We Shouldn’t Give Up On Anybody In This Country And People Who Make Mistakes Can Sometimes Benefit From A Second Chance.” “‘We shouldn’t give up on anybody in this country and people who make mistakes can sometimes benefit from a second chance,’ Cornyn said.” (Mariana Barillas, “GOP Senator: Fight Crime By Reducing Minimum Sentences,” Washington Examiner, 6/20/16)