Via TPM, apropos to Chris' agenda below, it looks like we can watch Jim Webb for some hopeful legislation on prison reform:
This spring, Webb (D-Va.) plans to introduce legislation on a long-standing passion of his: reforming the U.S. prison system. Jails teem with young black men who later struggle to rejoin society, he says. Drug addicts and the mentally ill take up cells that would be better used for violent criminals. And politicians have failed to address this costly problem for fear of being labeled "soft on crime."
Webb aims much of his criticism at enforcement efforts that he says too often target low-level drug offenders and parole violators, rather than those who perpetrate violence, such as gang members. He also blames policies that strip felons of citizenship rights and can hinder their chances of finding a job after release. He says he believes society can be made safer while making the system more humane and cost-effective.
I've written about the indefensibility of felon disenfranchisement before, so I hope that bolded bit means it is somewhere on Webb's mind. He would be one of the best people to raise this issue as Virginia is one of only two states which completely disenfranchises all felons for life:
As of December 3 1,2004, a total of 377,847 persons were disfranchised in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or 6.76% of the state's voting age population (VAP). Approximately 297,901 were ex-felons, permanently barred from voting, while 35,172 were prisoners, 5,158 were parolees, 37,463 were on felony probation and 2,153 were inmates in local jails.
Aside from felon voting rights, the whole subject of America's Kafkaesque prison nightmare is a good one to see on the agenda, and no harm for being led by a guy like Webb, who is difficult to write off as soft on crime and whatnot.
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