White House Commutes Sentence of 46 Drug Offenders

W

WhatInThe

SF VIP
White House commutes the sentence of 46 drug offenders. Supposedly all non violent offenders although at least one guy got caught with a gun during a drug deal and obstructed and/or tried to 'influence' justice(last guy on list)

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...nces-commutations-for-46-nonviolent-offenders

Most the offenders listed in the article had distribution quantities of illegal drugs. Maybe they didn't get caught killing anyone but they did volunteer to work in a criminal industry that routinely murders, maybe someone in their chain of command or a junky they supplied. Also like most things government that wasn't a random list, some politicians are getting some favors now.

Obama did say it's up to those who had their sentences commuted to do good and that America was a nation of second chances.
 

I think it's a good thing, the jails/prisons are overcrowded, and many of these people's sentences were far too severe.
 
It is because of the mandatory sentencing laws. Many of these people are serving way to much time for the offense.
 

OP, in your post you didn't mention this bit

President Obama has commuted the sentences of 46 mostly nonviolent drug offenders, nearly all of whom, the White House says, would have already served their time if they were convicted of the same crime today.
Click to expand...

If the time they have already served has allowed these people to take charge of their lives I believe they should have the opportunity to rebuild them. With some ongoing assistance.
 
Dame Warrigal said:
OP, in your post you didn't mention this bit



If the time they have already served has allowed these people to take charge of their lives I believe they should have the opportunity to rebuild them. With some ongoing assistance.
Click to expand...

I didn't post because I'm not retyping the article. If you don't like my or others summation or opinion simply opine as you usually do. The link is there for a reason, use it til your hearts content.

Because "the White House" says so does not mean it's true or in context. Those offenders were given legislated legal sentences at the time of their offense/sentencing. Many offenders to get that amount of time from mandatory sentencing includes being a three striker/repeat offender which means they are there for their crimeS which are taken into account at sentencing. Many cases warrant additional time on a sentence if a gun was involved as in several cases here, not necessarily used but associated with the crime/found on the criminal. To get in the federal system frequently means a federal investigation was underway for an illegal drug operation involving large quantities and/or part of an illegal national or international drug operation and I'll be the first admit a "federal" doesn't necessarily make it better, fair or accurate.

Some do get caught up in the drug war maybe get nabbed on their first and only deal. Besides corrupt police how could have these drug offenders come into distribution amounts of illegal drugs-did they accidentally put on their friends pants,accidentally drive their friends car loaded down with drugs, accidentally hide someone else's stash in their cabinet? One usually has to voluntarily choose to be with someone having distribution or drug dealer amounts of illegal drugs. Most are not found with personal use amounts. Some parents or friends could get caught up if a tenant or family member stored their contraband in their house without their knowledge-those are the people really screwed in the drug war because abuse/over use of seizure & forfeiture laws is a problem because there is no trial.

Those individuals could appeal their 'harsh' sentence, appeal to their legislature to change sentencing laws or petition for a pardon or commutation as these offenders did. Or do their time for their crime.
 
Since I know nothing about the details of their offences, I'll make no further comment except to say that when I first read the thread title I thought that it was about people who had had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment. When I read the article I saw that it was about something else and that the issue was not exactly cut and dried.

Two questions though. Why do you say it was not a random list?
I don't think justice should be random in the first place, but that aside, which politicians stand to benefit from commuting sentences?
 
We have to take a close look at those incarcerated under the "get tough" policies of the past as to fairness and prison overcrowding and costs...
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top