More death penalty; stricter sentencing

McCain supports the following principles regarding crime:
• Broaden use of the death penalty
• Impose stricter penalties for violent felons
• Increase spending to build more federal prisons
• Impose “truth in sentencing” for violent criminals so they serve full sentences
• Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
• Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.

More community policing; enough hate crime laws

Prosecute youths as adults, but separately; explore sources

McCain supports the following principles regarding juvenile crime:
• Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
• Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
• Increase funding for local Boys & Girls Clubs and other independent organizations in communities with at-risk youth.
• Provide block grants to states for implementation of programs to combat juvenile crime.
• Impose harsher penalties for youths convicted of violent offenses.
• McCain points out that he “helped create the youth violence commission to develop remedies to youth violence.”
• Support the use of “boot camps” as alternative sentencing for juvenile offenders.
• Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
• McCain says, “Juvenile offenders should be kept separate from adult offenders and receive the appropriate remedial and rehabilitation services.” Source: Vote-Smart.org 2000 NPAT Jan 13, 2000

  Urges hearings on how FBI can deter Hate Crimes

  McCain urged holding hearings to determine whether the FBI is able to appropriately and effectively deter, investigate, and prosecute crimes of violence against any American. “All Americans abhor violent attacks on our citizens, whatever the motivation. Recent acts of violence against Americans of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups by members of hate groups are particularly abhorrent,” McCain said. “We must prosecute those who commit such acts, but also prevent their occurrence.” Source: Press Release: “Hate Groups” Aug 13, 1999

  1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups

  As a result of Congressional mandates and court actions, the government [may be] unable to routinely monitor organizations that foment hate and violence. Certainly, protecting civil rights must remain sacrosanct. However, we must not allow the First Amendment to be abused as a shield for those who advocate or conspire to commit acts of violence. Organizations who are legitimately suspected of criminal or violent activities should not be shielded from legitimate & vigorous investigation & monitoring. Source: Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee Aug 13, 1999

  Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties

  McCain supports the following principles to address crime:
  • Broaden use of the death penalty
  • Build more federal prisons
  • Impose “truth in sentencing” for violent criminals
  • Fund programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills
  • Expand funding for community policing programs
  • Increase penalties for the possession of any illegal firearms
  • Prosecute youths accused of a felony as adults
  Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org Jul 2, 1998

  Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals.

  Vote to table, or kill, a motion to send the bill back to the joint House-Senate conference committee with instructions to delete the provisions in the bill that would make it harder for prisoners given the death penalty in state courts to appeal the dec Bill S.735 ; vote number 1996-66 on Apr 17, 1996

  Voted YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms.

  Vote on the motion to instruct conferees on the bill to insist that the conference report include Mandatory prison terms for the use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or destructive device during a state crime of violence or state drug trafficking cr Bill HR.3355 ; vote number 1994-126 on May 19, 1994

  Click here for definitions & background information on Crime. Click here for policy papers on Crime. Click here for SenateMatch answers by John McCain. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Crime in The Forum.
  Other candidates on Crime:		John McCain on other issues:
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