Washington D.C. – Testifying before the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Brett Tolman, Executive Director of Right On Crime and former U.S. Attorney, recommended recalibrating federal supervised release to be more effective and less burdensome on individuals, probation officers, and American taxpayers.

In the hearing with experts from around the nation, Tolman testified, “We need to focus on polices that work, not just policies we want” as he outlined the implications of knee-jerk and routine imposition of federal supervision.

“It’s the culture of the judiciary to use supervision as an extension of punishment, and that mindset must change to a more individualized approach,” Tolman testified. “Routine federal supervision was never intended by Congress, the courts, or the Commission. Courts need more discretion to decide when, why, and for how long an offender will be on federal supervision.”


Tolman recommended that courts conduct individualized assessments at each stage of federal supervised release, and he pointed out that the estimated 50% recidivism rate for federal cases is proof current policy is not working.

“Probation officers are required to give the same supervision to everyone and public safety has no bearing on it. We must identify and focus on the most dangerous offenders and that supervision has to be different than low-level offenders who have the potential to successfully reintegrate into society,” said Tolman.

According to estimates, the federal supervised release system is a $500 million drain on the taxpayer annually, and Tolman told the Sentencing Commission.



“Supervised release must be more individually tailored to the offender to promote public safety and limit the government’s footprint,” Tolman testified. “This proposal and the Safer Supervision Act complement each other in achieving these goals.” 

Right On Crime is a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation supporting conservative solutions for fewer victims, less crime, and safer communities. The movement was born in Texas in 2007, established as a national campaign in 2010, and leads the way in implementing conservative criminal justice initiatives across the nation that are just, effective, and fiscally responsible. For more information, visit our website at www.RightOnCrime.com. 

For more information or to request an interview, contact Tonya Kerr ([email protected]).