SEN.SPECTER INTRODUCES GIGANTICMONEY BILL FOR JUVENILE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS - Money - Career Criminals Targeted

Oct 13, 2026

Legislation reintroduced by U.S. Senator Arlen Specter would authorize a one percent appropriation of the federal budget for criminal justice programs each year over the next decade, totaling about $100 billion. The stated aim is to cut U.S. violent crime by 50 percent through federal, state, and local programs, targeting 200,000 “career criminals.” The bill is described as the National Violent Crime Program Authorization Act of 1985, with funding for federal and state corrections and an estimated need of $9.7 billion more annually to prevent delinquency and recidivism.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Money

Sen. Specter’s Proposal and the National Violent Crime Program Authorization Act of 1985

Vol.16No.6 S10 Billion A Year... ## SEN.SPECTER INTRODUCES GIGANTICMONEY BILL FOR JUVENILE ANDCRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS Career Criminals Targeted;AidWould Go To State/Local Agencies By Betty B.BosargeEditor,Washington Crime News Services U.S.Senator Arlen Specter(R-Pa.)has reintro-duced legislation,which died in the last Congress,authorizing an appropriation of one percent of theFederal budget for criminal justice programs eachyear over the next 10 years.Under the currentbudget,this would amount to approximately $10billion a year,for a total outlay of $100 billion. The goal of the program,according to Specter,is to reduce violent crime in the United States by50 percent. S.486,The National Violent Crime ProgramAuthorization Act of 1985,is aimed at reducingboth adult and juvenile crime through programs atthe Federal,state and local levels.The bill authorizesseveral million dollars for Federal and state correctionsprograms. According to Sen.Specter,the main target ofthe program will be the 200,000“career criminals”who are responsible for up to 70 percent of the rob-beries and burglaries nationwide. To deal effectively with these criminals,and toprevent delinquency and recidivism on the part ofyounger offenders.would cost the nation S9.7 bil-lion a year more than is currently being spent oncriminal justice,Sen.Specter said. (See CRIME PROGRAM,page five) March 13.1985 IN THIS ISSUE MONEY:Sen.Specter's Proposal Would ESCAPE 101:Add A Little Color.. .. 2FLORIDA:Executes Child Killer...... 2TEXAS:Health Problems Documented.. . 2ACA:Offers A Product Catalog... .. 3JUVENILE JUSTICE:Project Will Provide SANITATION:Training Course Offered.. .. 4Of Probation,Parole........... 4ACLU:Publishes New Directory.......6BUILDINGS:"Double Enveloping"Explained...8OJJDP:Plans Training Conference...... 9ARIZONA:Dealing With Prison Gangs.... 9TEXAS:Inmates Want To Die.... ..10 A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL Edwin Meese Illwas sworn in as Attorney Generalduring a private ceremony at the White House onFeb.25,then headed to the Justice Department fora meeting with +op officials.Meese was sworn in byDaniel Marks,White House deputy executive clerk,at a ceremony attended by President Reagan,Meese'swife,Ursula,and members of his staff.He was con-firmed by the Senate on Feb.23 by a vote of 63-31.Republican Senators,who firmly supported Meese,were joined by 15 Democrats. CORRECTIONS DIGEST ## Escape Techniques 101: HERE’S AN INNOVATIVE METHODFOR GETTING OUT OF JAIL QUICKLY A little ink to dye his jail whites blue plus a ridein a garbage can equaled only fleeting freedom forex-convict Thomas A.Clark.He received five yearsin prison recently.Clark,26,was in the Harris County,Texas,Rehabilitation Center on a burglary charge onOct.29 when he apparently got itchy feet. Clark's attorney,Wayne Heller,said Clark,thenworking in the jail kitchen,took off the tip of a penand blew the ink into a pail of water. Heller said Clark used the homemade dye to turnhis white jail uniform blue and then crawled into a 55-gallon garbage can and was covered with garbage.Thegarbage can,with Clark hidden inside,was taken outto the dock and Clark rode out of the center with thegarbage,Heller said. Prosecutor Jack Millin said that once out,Clarkmade the mistake of going to his mother's house wherehe was arrested 26 hours after his escape. Clark pleaded guilty to burglary of a building andescape and was sentenced to five years in prison oneach charge by visiting State District Judge ErnestCoker.Coker said the terms will run concurrently.Clark previously served a prison sentence for attemptedburglary of a habitation,Millin said.■ FLORIDA EXECUTES SLAYER John Paul Witt was executed by the State ofFlorida on March 6 for the abduction and murderof an 11-year-old Tampa boy,killed 12 years agowhen he went to a store to buy candy for his youngerbrother. Witt,41 died at 7:10 A.M.from a single 90-secondjolt oi 2,000 vo

FAQs

What is the program reintroduced by Senator Arlen Specter intended to do?

It aims to reduce violent crime in the United States by 50 percent through criminal justice programs at federal, state, and local levels.

How is the proposed funding calculated and what total outlay is mentioned?

The bill would appropriate one percent of the federal budget each year over 10 years, amounting to about $10 billion annually and $100 billion total.

Who are identified as the main target of the program?

The document states the main target is the 200,000 “career criminals” responsible for up to 70 percent of robberies and burglaries nationwide.

Oct 13, 2026

Uploaded by 4398046744996