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Tom Tancredo on Crime and Punishment

The United States has the highest incarceration rate as well as the highest number of documented prisoners in the world. As such, how the United States defines crime and the terms of consequence for violations is an immensely important issue. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: the death penalty, hate crimes, drug policy, and mandatory minimum sentencing.

The issues

Tom Tancredo strongly supports the death penalty

Tancredo cosponsored the Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act of 2003, which included such provisions as: -Establishing penalty of death or imprisonment for any term or years, or for life, for a person who, in the course of committing a terrorist offense, engages in conduct that results in the death of a person -Making ineligible for any or all Federal benefits for any term of years or for life any individual who is convicted of a Federal crime of terrorism as defined in section 421(d) of the Controlled Substances Act.

H.R. 2934 [108th]: Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act of 2004

According to his policy director, Alan Moore, "Congressman Tancredo supports the death penalty."

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Tom Tancredo strongly opposes hate crime legislation

Regarding, the "Children's Safety Bill" which Tancredo voted NO on: Hefley and Tancredo said they objected to an amendment by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., that would allow some crimes involving sexual orientation, gender or disability to be prosecuted as hate crimes. "From my point of view, it was a poison pill in the bill," Tancredo said.

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Tom Tancredo is neutral on relaxing drug laws and/or drug enforcement

Tancredo voted YES on the "State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Act": An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used, with respect to certain states, to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.

Project Vote Smart congressional vote analysis Jul 11, 2006

Tom Tancredo supports mandatory minimum sentencing

Rep. Tancredo is a cosponsor of H.R. 3150, the Criminal Alien Accountability Act. H.R. 3150 establishes mandatory minimum sentences for aliens who reenter the United States after being removed and for persons who assist aliens in reentering the United States.

H.R. 3150, the Criminal Alien Accountability Act

Tom Tancredo strongly opposes an increase in funds for drug rehabilitation as an alternative to prison

Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. Vote on an amendment that would reduce the funding for violent offender imprisonment by and truth-in-sentencing programs by $61 million. The measure would increase funding for Boys and Girls Clubs and drug courts by the same amount.

Amendment sponsored by Scott, D-VA; Bill HR 4690 ; vote number 2000-317 on Jun 22, 2000