Thousands of drug offenders could see sentences shortened

The Hill ^ | July 18 2014 | Benjamin Goad

[PoloSec]

The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted Friday to retroactively apply reduced sentencing guidelines for certain drug offenders, an action that could mean shortened sentences for tens of thousands of inmates.

If not overturned by Congress, inmates would not be eligible for reduced sentences until November of next year, to ensure judges are given enough time to make case-by-case decisions about releasing inmates early.

The move won immediate praise from the Obama administration, congressional Democrats and left-leaning think tanks who say the move would promote fairness in the criminal justice system, while addressing capacity problems at prisons around the country.

“At my direction, the Bureau of Prisons will begin notifying federal inmates of the opportunity to apply for a reduction in sentence immediately,” Attorney Gen. Eric Holder said. “This is a milestone in the effort to make more efficient use of our law enforcement resources and to ease the burden on our overcrowded prison system.”

Friday’s vote follows an April decision to shorten sentencing guidelines for most drug offenders going forward. Congress has until November of this year to disapprove that amendment.

In the absence of action, courts could begin considering petitions from prisoners for sentence reductions this November, but no prisoners could be released before Nov. 1, 2015.

“The delay will help to protect public safety by enabling appropriate consideration of individual petitions by judges, ensuring effective supervision of offenders upon release, and allowing for effective reentry plans,” said Judge Patti B. Saris, the commission’s chairwoman.

If the decision stands, an estimated 46,290 offenders would be eligible to seek shortened sentences.

Those approved would see an average of 25 months shaved off their sentences, ultimately resulting in the saving of near 80,000 “bed years,” the equivalent of one federal prisoner occupying a prison bed for a year.

[Objective Scrutator]

“The move won immediate praise from the Obama administration, congressional Democrats and left-leaning think tanks who say the move would promote fairness in the criminal justice system, while addressing capacity problems at prisons around the country.”

Translation into truth: The move won praise from [liberals] who say that we should release a bunch of angry people with criminal proclivities to beg for welfare checks and commit more crimes in the name of “fairness” and “saving money”. They say it will advance their goals of destroying America and replacing it with a USSR/caliphate government.

[NormsRevenge]

As long as they are replaced by every illegal gang member and gang members in general ..

Especially, MS-13 and the Mejicano strains.

Straight from the border to the hoosegow..

Or let ‘em swim with Orcas.

[Hugin]

for certain drug offenders

A real reporter would tell us what kind of drug offenders we are talking about here.

[FlingWingFlyer]

The ‘RATS are trying to get them all out of the Iron Bar Motel before the “elections”. The ‘RATS know they are in deep kimchi and need all of the votes they can get.

[Blood of Tyrants]

As long as their offense doesn’t involve violence or theft, I see no problem.

[BobL]

RAND PAUL!!! RAND PAUL!!!

More FELONS about to hit the street to TERRORIZE people!!! I sure hope you’re PROUD of yourself.

[ConservingFreedom]

"Non-violent drug offenders", says the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.