SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME I.The War on Drugs A. Interdiction The Subcommittee on Crime will continue its review of the U.S. drug interdiction effort. There is growing evidence that trafficking in the eastern Caribbean transit zone has increased substantially in recent years. Consequently, particular attention will be focused on the adequacy of current interdiction efforts in this geographical area. (Spring and Summer of 1997)

B. Marihuana Laws The Subcommittee will conduct a review of the adequacy of federal law controlling marihuana production and distribution. The subcommittee will examine the consequences of the California and Arizona state referenda legalizing marihuana for medicinal use, and the sufficiency of the proposed federal response to these referenda. (Spring 1997)

C. International Drug Traffickers The Subcommittee will examine the federal law enforcement effort at identifying and apprehending those who conspire to import controlled substances into the U.S. (1997)

II. Prisons

A. The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) The Subcommittee will review the implementation of the PLRA as it is enforced, and litigated, around the country. (1997)

B. Federal Assistance to Build State Prisons The Subcommittee will continue to monitor the Justice Department's distribution of Violent Offender Incarceration grants to the States. (1997 and 1998)

III. Federal Assistance to State and Local Law Enforcement The Subcommittee will continue to monitor the Justice Department's implementation of the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program and the COPS Grant Program. (1997 and 1998)

IV. Brady Act The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1994 requires the FBI to develop and operate a national, point-of-sale, criminal background check system for all firearms purchases. The system must be operational by November, 1998. The Subcommittee will conduct oversight activities to ensure that these requirements are fulfilled. (Spring/Summer 1997)

V. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) The Subcommittee will conduct extensive oversight of the management practices of the BOP in the 105th Congress. Attention will be given to issues relating to privatization of prison operations, the observance of religious practices by inmates, and drug trafficking by federal prisoners. Special attention will be given to issues relating to the Federal Prison Industries program operated by BOP. (1997 and 1998)

VI. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) As the largest federal law enforcement agency, the FBI will be the subject of much of the Subcommittee's oversight activities. Among the areas of inquiry will be expansion of the FBI's presences overseas through its legal attache offices, its new organizational structures to enforce anti-terrorism laws, the need for additional wiretap authority, and issues relating to the implementation of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994. (1997 and 1998)

VII. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) As the principal training ground for such federal law enforcement agencies as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; the Secret Service; the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, FLETC is an important aspect of the federal crime-fighting effort. The Subcommittee will conduct oversight into the activities of FLETC to determine how it might better train federal law enforcement and corrections officers. (Fall 1997)

VIII. The Nature, Extent, and Proliferation of Federal Law Enforcement The Subcommittee will continue its series of hearings begun in the 104th Congress concerning the nature, extent, and proliferation of federal law enforcement agencies. Among the issues to be considered are the possible consolidation of all or parts of one or more federal law enforcement agencies into other agencies and the reduction of redundant enforcement efforts through more clearly defined lines of authority. (1997 and 1998)

IX. Victim Restitution Because of the importance of restitution and fines to victims of crime, the Subcommittee will be closely examining this issue with particular attention to the basis for court orders and follow-up efforts. (Fall 1997)

X. Witness Protection The Subcommittee will continue its review of state witness protection programs and the interstate relocation of witnesses. (Winter/Spring 1997)

XI. U.S. Sentencing Commission The Subcommittee will review the mission and operations of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The Subcommittee will focus particularly on the Commission's process for amending the guidelines and the Commission's ongoing guidelines simplification project. (Summer 1997)

XII. The Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the Justice Department The Subcommittee will follow-up on its review in the last Congress of the Justice Department's anti-racketeering efforts. (1997 and 1998) Return to Prison List

Compliments of Proposition One Committee