WEEKLY ADDRESS: Working for Meaningful Criminal Justice Reform (October 17, 2015)

奧巴馬每周電視講話：總統呼吁進行司法改革

Hi,everybody.Thirty years ago,there were 500,000 people behind bars in America.Today,there are 2.2 million.The United States is home to 5 percent of the world's population,but 25 percent of the world's prisoners.Every year,we spend $80 billion to keep people locked up.

大家好！30年前，美國只有50萬人入獄,而今天這一數字是220萬。合眾國的人口占全球人口的5%，但入獄人數卻占了全球的25%。每年我們要花銷800億美元來維持監獄的正常運轉。

Now,many of the folks in prison absolutely belong there-our streets are safer thanks to the brave police officers and dedicated prosecutors who put violent criminals behind bars.But over the last few decades,we've also locked up more non-violent offenders than ever before,for longer than ever before.That's the real reason our prison population is so high.

現在，有很多犯人將一直在獄中監禁，我們的街道變得更安全了，感謝所有英勇的警察和盡職盡責的檢察官們，是他們將暴力犯罪分子繩之以法。但過去的幾十年，我們也關押了比以往要多得多的非暴力犯罪分子，而且關押時間也比以往要長得多。這才是我們的監獄人滿為患的真正原因。

Ever since I was a Senator,I've talked about how,in too many cases,our criminal justice system is a pipeline from underfunded schools to overcrowded jails.And we've taken steps to address it.We invested in our schools to give at-risk young people a better shot to succeed.I signed a bill reducing the 100 to 1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.I've commuted the sentences of dozens of people sentenced under old drug laws we now recognize were unfair.The Department of Justice has gotten “Smart on Crime,” refocusing efforts on the worst offenders,and pursuing mandatory minimum sentences less frequently.

當我還是個參議員的時候，我就說過，大部分情況下，我們的司法系統就是一個從資金不足的學校到人滿為患的監獄之間的管道。我們已經采取措施來解決這一問題。我們加大對學校的投入，讓有危險的年輕人有更好的機會走向成功。我簽署了一項法案，降低了對強效可卡因和粉末可卡因犯罪100比1的量刑差異。我們意識到舊的毒品法不公平，我就為很多依據舊法判刑的人員減刑。司法部也進行了“智能打擊犯罪”行動，集中精力打擊那些最惡劣的犯罪分子，盡可能減少最低強制判決的使用。

Still,much of our criminal justice system remains unfair.In recent years,more of our eyes have been opened to this truth.We can't close them anymore.And good people,of all political persuasions,are eager to do something about it.

然而我們的司法系統還有很多不公平的地方。在最近這些年，我們看到了更多的實情。我們不能再無動于衷了。有良心、有政治抱負的人們都希望為此做點貢獻。

Over the next few weeks,I'll travel the country to highlight some of the Americans who are doing their part to fix our criminal justice system.I'll visit a community battling prescription drug and heroin abuse.I'll speak with leaders from law enforcement who are determined to lower the crime rate and the incarceration rate,and with police chiefs who have dedicated their careers to keeping our streets and officers safe.I'll meet with former prisoners who are earning their second chance.

接下來的幾個星期，我將在國內走訪，重點介紹幾位盡自己的能力來修補我們的司法體系的美國人。我將到訪一個與濫用處方藥和海洛因進行斗爭的社區。與負責執法的領導進行談話，他決心要降低犯罪率和關押率，與警察局長一起盡忠職守，保護我們的街區和警察們的安全。我還會與一些出獄的人員交談，他們在依靠自己的努力重新做人。

And I'll keep working with lawmakers from both parties who are determined to get criminal justice reform bills to my desk.Earlier this month,Democrats and Republicans came together in the Senate to introduce such a bill-one that would reduce mandatory minimums for non-violent drug offenders,and reward prisoners with shorter sentences if they complete programs that make them less likely to commit a repeat offense.There's a similar bill working its way through the House,and I'm encouraged by these kinds of bipartisan efforts.This is progress-not liberal ideas or conservative ideas,but common-sense solutions to the challenges we face.

我還會與兩黨內致力于司法改革的立法者共同努力。本月初，民主黨和共和黨在參議院共同引入了這樣一個法案，該法案要降低對非暴力的毒販的最低強制關押時間，而且，如果犯人完成改造，不會重新犯罪的話將得到縮短刑期的獎勵。在眾議院也有一個類似的法案正在討論中，我本人也深受這種兩黨合作的鼓舞。這是一種進步，不是什么自由主義或保守主義的想法，而是解決我們所面臨的挑戰的辦法。

From the halls of Congress to the classrooms in our schools,we pledge allegiance to one nation under God with liberty,and justice,for all.Justice means that every child deserves a chance to grow up safe and secure,without the threat of violence.Justice means that the punishment should fit the crime.And justice means allowing our fellow Americans who have made mistakes to pay their debt to society,and re-join their community as active,rehabilitated citizens.

從國會大廳到學校的教室，我們都莊嚴宣誓，我們是上帝保佑的對所有人自由、公正的國家。公正意味著每個孩子都應該安全地成長，而不能受到暴力的威脅。公正意味著處罰與罪行匹配。公正意味著允許犯錯的美國同胞們償還對社會的欠賬，以積極、完成改造的公民身份重新融入社會。

Justice has never been easy to achieve,but it's always been worth fighting for.And it's something I'll keep fighting for as long as I serve as your president.

公正從來都不是輕松可以實現的目標，但從來都是值得為之奮斗的目標。只要我繼續擔任總統，我就將為之持續奮斗不已。

Thanks,and have a great weekend.

謝謝大家，祝周末愉快！

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