Prison nation. The U.S. Sentencing Commission has voted to increase sentences for bribery crimes . The proposed changes will be submitted to Congress on May 1 and unless rejected, go into effect on November 1:

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which has described public-corruption offenses as crimes of "internal terrorism," has adopted new federal guidelines to increase prison terms for those convicted of federal bribery charges — some by more than 50 percent. It also voted to more than triple to 10 years — the maximum allowed under the law — the prison term for persons convicted of possessing destructive devices, such as shoulder-fired missiles, rockets and launchers.

Spokesman Michael Courlander said the amended guidelines provide harsher penalties based on whether a defendant is an elected public official, a public official or a nonpublic official, adding that the average sentence for a public official who takes a bribe will increase more than 50 percent, "with the prospect of a much greater increase."

...Mr. Courlander said the commission also voted to allow the courts to depart above the guidelines for possession of destructive devices that create a risk to the public; increased by 50 percent the sentences for felons who use body armor in a crime of violence or drug trafficking; and increased the penalties for other crimes, including second-degree murder, attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter involving reckless operation of a vehicle.