Sen. Murray Announces Support for Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Bill to Focus Resources on Justice and Rehabilitation, Target Violent Criminals

Statement

Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) announced her support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, a bill that aims to appropriately adjust prison sentences for certain nonviolent drug offenders, while cracking down on violent criminals such as domestic abusers. The bill would also grant judges greater discretion in sentencing for lower-level drug crimes and work to help offenders stay out of prison once they are released.

"This legislation would help bring much-needed reforms to sentencing for non-violent offenders and take a strong step forward for our justice system," said Senator Murray. "For too long, one-size-fits-all punishments have put so many Americans behind bars for long periods of time for drug use when treatment and rehabilitation would better serve them and their communities. We should provide flexibility in sentencing for low-level offenders while maintaining tough sentences for those who deserve it, such as domestic abusers, drug cartel members, and other violent criminals, to help keep the most dangerous offenders off our streets."

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