PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The United States Marshals Service must create and run the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program to let federal, state, and local fugitives give themselves up in a safe, calm place. Fugitive Safe Surrender Program — uses sites such as churches, works with police and community leaders, and helps nonviolent cases be handled right away. A 4-day pilot in Cleveland had over 800 people turn themselves in, while a 3-day sweep after that led to 65 arrests. Congress found the program safer and wants it expanded. Congress approved funding of $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2009. This does not stop law enforcement from using other methods, like task forces or sweeps, to find or arrest fugitives.

Title 34, §20989

Navy, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)Fugitive Safe Surrender is a program of the United States Marshals Service, in partnership with public, private, and faith-based organizations, which temporarily transforms a church into a courthouse, so fugitives can turn themselves in, in an atmosphere where they feel more comfortable to do so, and have nonviolent cases adjudicated immediately.

(2)In the 4-day pilot program in Cleveland, Ohio, over 800 fugitives turned themselves in. By contrast, a successful Fugitive Task Force sweep, conducted for 3 days after Fugitive Safe Surrender, resulted in the arrest of 65 individuals.

(3)Fugitive Safe Surrender is safer for defendants, law enforcement, and innocent bystanders than needing to conduct a sweep.

(4)Based upon the success of the pilot program, Fugitive Safe Surrender should be expanded to other cities throughout the United States.

(b)Establishment

The United States Marshals Service shall establish, direct, and coordinate a program (to be known as the “Fugitive Safe Surrender Program”), under which the United States Marshals Service shall apprehend Federal, State, and local fugitives in a safe, secure, and peaceful manner to be coordinated with law enforcement and community leaders in designated cities throughout the United States.

(c)Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the United States Marshals Service to carry out this section— (1)

(2)$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and

(3)$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.

(d)Other existing applicable law

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any existing authority under any other provision of Federal or State law for law enforcement agencies to locate or apprehend fugitives through task forces or any other means.

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 16989 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§20989 Fugitive Safe Surrender

Summary

Title 34, §20989

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata