REP. EMERSON FAVORS STRONGER TRUTH-IN-SENTENCING GUIDE

WASHINGTON D.C. -- As the House of Representatives began debate Wednesday on the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1994, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson suggested one step that must be taken to crack down on crime is making sure convicted criminals stay behind bars.

The Cape Girardeau Republican promised to scrutinize details in the bill to see that criminals serve a majority of their sentences, known as truth-in-sentencing provisions.

Said Emerson, "It doesn't do any good to sentence a convicted criminal to 10 years in prison when that person only serves a few months. The judicial system fails all of us -- most especially victims of crime -- when offenders walk out of a prison's revolving door without paying their debt to society.

"I will be paying close attention to measures in the House anti-crime bill which strengthen our laws on truth-in-sentencing."

Emerson said that an anticipated amendment from Congressman Jim Chapman, D-Texas, authorizes $10.5 billion over five years for state prison expansion grants. For states to be eligible for federal money, the amendment designates "incentive funds" for states to adopt truth-in-sentencing guidelines.

Those guidelines must: increase the percentage of violent offenders sentenced to prison; increase the average time served by violent offenders; and increase the percentage of the sentence actually served to 85 percent.

A recent congressional study found that convicted criminals serve only about 73 percent of their sentences.

"Criminals must learn that they are going to serve their time, not just a scant portion," said Emerson. "We've got to slam shut the revolving door, and truth-in-sentencing measures are a step in the right direction."

A final vote on the House anti-crime bill is not expected for about two weeks.