Criminal Justice Sentencing Policy Statement National Council on Crime and Delinquency November, 2005 Position 1: Make offenders and not offenses the subject of sentencing. Position 2: Adopt objective criteria designed to make discretion visible and to promote the accountability of govern ment officials at every stage of the sentencing process. Accountability rests on the transparency of decision making. Position 3: In the sentence of the court, account for: 1) the offender's current risk to public safety, 2) offender rehabilitation and treatment needs, 3) the gravity of the offense, and 4) the relative costs-benefits of each available sanction. Position 4: Direct sentences to serve a number of goals, including rehabilitation and treatment. Position 5: Expand and use less expensive and more effective forms of criminal penalties; encourage innovation. Position 6: Reserve prison sentences for three types of offenders: a) first-time felons that have committed a violent or serious crime, b) repeat felons whose new crimes involve a substantial threat to public safety, and c) felons whose crimes involve substantial violations of the public trust. Position 7: Sentence repeat felony offenders or those convicted of very violent or other serious crimes to maximum terms that allow the possibility of parole. Position 8:J Devise a plan for reentry at the time of sentencing. Position 9: Reestablish and reinvigorate parole and the pardon processes. Position 10: In general, impose short and determinate prison sentences for nonviolent felons. Position 11: Repeal mandatory minimum sentences and three strikes laws. Position 12: Abolish the death penalty. Position 13: Scrutinize and monitor all sentencing propositions and implementation to prevent an unjust impact on women. Position 14: Adopt sentencing legislation only after completing a fiscal impact statement on the likely effects of pro posed legislation on prisons, jails, probation, parole, court resources and dockets, and public safety. Position 15: Establish national standards for the conditions of confinement. Position 16: Scrutinize and monitor all sentencing propositions and implementations to prevent an unjust impact on minority communities. Position 17: Retain juvenile offenders in a separate juvenile justice system specifically designed to meet the needs of young people. Position 18: Address victims. interests apart from the sentencing decision. Position 19: Conduct rigorous research to evaluate the effects of various sanctions on offenders, the corrections sys tem, and crime reduction. Position 20: Periodically review sentencing statutes and practices to assure compliance with the spirit of legislation and relevant court decisions.