Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Recent reporting on a U.S. Sentencing Commission staff report claiming that "most" crack offenders soon to be released from jail are "nonviolent" failed to fully examine the commission's data ["Crack Offenders Set for Release Mostly Nonviolent, Study Says," Feb. 22].

The article ignored the fact that 80 percent of those criminals eligible for release in the next 10 years have a prior criminal record; 55 percent of those eligible for release in March are classified as likely to commit another crime, many within two years.

In addition, the article should have noted that the commission's data omitted any accounting of drug-related violent crimes -- such as assault, rape, robbery, burglary, kidnapping or arson -- that may have been committed by the offender when trafficking in illegal drugs. Many of those eligible for early release have prior convictions for violent offenses that also are not accounted for by the sentencing data.

Almost 100 of the criminals soon to be released possessed weapons when they were caught dealing drugs. We are all too familiar with the toxic mix of drugs and guns, and the resulting violent crimes that rip our communities apart. Why would we want to release these offenders if we know that many will resume their drug trafficking activities?

LAMAR SMITH

U.S. Representative (R-Tex.)

Washington

The writer is ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.