This article reports on the legislation proposed by Senator Jim Webb which authorizes a blue-ribbon commission of experts who would undertake an 18-month review of the nation's criminal justice system, including issues such as the disproportionate share of minorities--particularly African-Americans--in the U.S. prisons. Webb said that the U.S. has 5 percent of the world's population but 25 percent of all those in prisons. He added that those released from prison also face multiple barriers to re-entry with few support services. The bill would not make any specific policy changes but would initiate a national review of policies toward incarceration, prisoner release, gangs, violent crime and other issues. He also said that it is appropriate to discuss fairness issues, particularly the rationale behind long prison terms many face for nonviolent offenses.