Senator Lee Proposes Bipartisan Rehabilitation Incentives to Reduce Repeat Crime

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today submitted a letter to the U.S. Sentencing Commission proposing bipartisan sentencing guidelines that will incentivize early rehabilitation to reduce repeat offenses and increase public safety. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tilliis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), along with U.S. Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Deborah Ross (D-NC) co-authored the letter.

"Under federal law, courts should consider the history and characteristics of a defendant when imposing sentence. However, the Sentencing Guidelines currently treat an unrepentant offender the same as one who sincerely seeks rehabilitation after committing a crime," said Senator Mike Lee. "Ignoring this distinction wastes time and money and gives criminals no incentive to change. The amendment under consideration will better effectuate the federal statute and allow law enforcement to focus resources on keeping the most dangerous criminals off our streets. I applaud the U.S. Sentencing Commission for its ongoing work to improve the Sentencing Guidelines and urge continued efforts to improve public safety by accounting for significant differences between defendants."

"Committing a federal crime forever changes the life of the victim, the lives of their family, and the lives of the perpetrator," said Senator Chris Coons. "We recognize that and punish it appropriately, but when that same individual makes the choice to rehabilitate, to give back to their communities, to try to make amends with their victims, even before they go to prison - we don't afford them the same recognition. Our justice system should encourage rehabilitation by changing sentencing guidelines to take pre-sentencing rehabilitation into account."

"Guidelines already account for various kinds of post-offense misconduct through its calculation of criminal history, relevant conduct, and other adjustments; it is time that it account for post- offense rehabilitation as well," said Congresswoman Laurel Lee.

Read exclusive coverage by the Washington Reporter here.

Access the full text of the letter here.

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