Bursts of outrage frequent the news in response to the sentences of many non-violent drug crime offenders. These terms are often heard to be quite lengthy, often being even as long as 72 years, all for crimes involving illegal substance possession or use, while still being non-violent. Meanwhile, Brock Turner was released after three months in prison, after raping an unconscious woman. So the question still stands, why do some rapists and other violent crime offenders serve such short terms while non-violent drug crime offenders can serve such long sentences, along with having such long terms of supervised release.
On Oct. 6, President Obama pardoned 102 inmates who were serving their long prison terms for nonviolent drug offenses. He has now commuted the sentences of 774 federal inmates, including 590 this year. In his term, he has pardoned more federal inmates than the previous 11 presidents combined, and has officially granted clemency to the most ever inmates in one year. These 102 inmates were granted clemency due to the hope that these men and women would be able to rebuild their lives and rejoin their families. President Obama will continue to grant pardons to federal drug offenders through the remainder of his term, hoping to set the standard for the next leader of our nation.
Some of the inmates in questions had been given life sentences for various drug crimes, including intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. One of the released inmates, Ricky Minor, who was previously serving a lifetime sentence without parole stated, “Thanks to President Obama, I now have the chance to make my family proud of me, earn pride in myself, and be a person in society who is helpful and useful.”
Other stories of inmates who are set to be released include Christopher Steven Bowen from Kalamazoo, Michigan who was sentenced to life for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base, Leticia Garcia from Weslaco, Texas who sentenced to 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute heroin and Lavelle Henderson from Topeka, Kansas who was sentenced to life imprisonment; five years supervised release for continuing criminal enterprise; money laundering.
White House Counsel W. Neil Eggleston said. “The individuals receiving commutation today are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and in some cases grandparents. Today, they and their loved ones share the joy of knowing that they will soon be reunited.” This is an amazing opportunity for the released inmates to gain a fresh start in their lives. There have been amazing success stories of ex-drug crime offenders rejoining society and making huge contributions. President Obama is breaking the standard of, “one a criminal, always a criminal” through his progress in eliminating the, “absurdly long” sentences of low-level offenders.
Kevin Ring, vice president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums stated that “President Obama has the power to fix past mistakes, but only Congress can prevent future ones.” This is some food for thought as President Obama prepares to leave office in January 2017.
