Rebuffed by the Senate and the U.S. Sentencing Commission, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey this week asked police officers to join him in calling for Congress to prevent sentencing reforms that could result in the early release of some crack-cocaine offenders.

CNN reported Feb. 25 that Mukasey continues to strongly oppose the Sentencing Commission's decision to make retroactive reductions in mandatory penalties for crack offenses so that they are more in line with penalties for powdered-cocaine offenses. Mukasey said the plan could result in thousands of violent criminals being released from prison.

Appearing at a Fraternal Order of Police meeting, Mukasey said that about 80 percent of the offenders eligible for release have prior criminal records. "This tells us those who are eligible for early release are very likely to commit another crime," he said. He also said that most of the offenders are male -- "We believe that this statistic will help to alleviate the concern expressed by some that the eligible offenders were simply girlfriends just caught up with their boyfriends," he said -- and that the average offender had been convicted of trafficking 500 doses of crack.

The Congressional Black Caucus strongly backed the sentencing revisions, and the American Civil Liberties Union has condemned Mukasey's position on early release. A House subcommittee will hear testimony on the issue today.