Statements from Religious Groups on Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
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U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
National Council of Churches
United Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Progressive National Baptist Convention
Church of the Brethren Witness
United Church of Christ
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association
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U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
“As bishops, we believe that the current trend of more prisons…, with too little education and drug treatment, does not truly reflect Christian values and will not really leave our communities safer. [The] astounding rate of incarceration is due to such policies as ‘three strikes and you’re out’ and ‘zero tolerance’ for drug offenders. As incarceration rates have increased, so have other punitive measures. Mandatory minimum sentences are much more common….Recent studies show that African, Hispanic, and Native Americans are often treated more harshly than other citizens in their encounters with the criminal justice system (including police activity, … prosecution and sentencing). … We seek justice, not vengeance….
We must renew our efforts to ensure that the punishment fits the crime. Therefore, we do not support mandatory sentencing that replaces judges’ assessments with rigid formulations.” (From USCCB’s November 15, 2000 statement, “Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice.”)
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/criminal.htm
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National Council of Churches
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top
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United Methodist Church
“The church has a fundamental role in reorienting the public debate by shifting focus from punishment to prevention and treatment…. Other changes needed to obtain equal justice in the courts include:… (5) the provision for court-fixed sentences, rather than mandatory ones, in order to draw upon the skills and training of qualified judges.” (From the UMC General Conferences’ “Drug and Alcohol Concerns”, Resolution 73, adopted 1996, amended and adopted 2000, and “Equal Justice”, Resolution 233, adopted 1980, amended and readopted 2000.)
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI, signed by the United Methodist Church Board of Church and Society) Top
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Presbyterian Church (USA)
“The 205 th General Assembly (1993) [of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)] makes these recommendations: …3. Urges reversal of current U.S. drug supply-limiting policies: …mandatory drug sentencing…”
http://www.pcusa.org/health/usa/policies/freedom_and_substance_abuse.htm
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Episcopal Church
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Progressive National Baptist Convention
“Whereas, in cases involving mandatory minimum sentences, judges are not allowed to consider all of the facts of each case. The mandatory sentence is determined simply by the quantity of drugs possessed. These laws prevent judges from considering other factors such as the defendant’s role in the offense, likelihood of committing a future offense, or the role of drug addiction….”
“Whereas, two decades after the enactment of mandatory minimum sentences, these laws have failed to deter people from using or selling drugs. Drugs are cheaper, purer, and more easily obtainable than ever….
“To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (Resolution passed by the General Assembly, August 2004)
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Church of the Brethren Witness
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
United Church of Christ
“Focusing on racism in U.S. drug policy, the delegates voted to urge the federal government, among other things,
- To shift emphasis from law enforcement to a policy that treats drug use as a health problem,
- To eliminate racial disparities in drug laws,
- To reduce the use of incarceration for those involved in minor offenses and offer medical treatment in its place.”
(Anti-racist Resolutions, August 2003) http://www.ucc.org/synod/news/wed-racism/htm
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Union for Reform Judaism
“Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Unitarian Universalist Association
“Abolish mandatory minimum prison sentences for the use and distribution of currently illicit drugs. Legislation should specify only maximum prison sentences.”(2002 statement of Conscience passed by the general assembly) http://www.uudpr.org/soc.htm “Sentencing Reform: To ensure that an individual’s punishment fits the crime, judicial discretion should be restored. Accordingly, we advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum prison sentences.” (2004 Drug Policy Positions Sign-On Statement, IDPI) Top
Interfaith
Drug Policy
Initiative, P.O. Box 6299, Washington,
D.C. 20015
Phone: 301-270-4473 Fax: 301-270-4483 |
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