things are a changing..
Justice Department set to free 6,000 prisoners, largest one-time release
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"Drugs Minus Two."
The early release follows action by the U.S. Sentencing Commission — an independent agency that sets sentencing policies for federal crimes — that reduced the potential punishment for future drug offenders last year and then made that change retroactive
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The panel estimated that its change in sentencing guidelines eventually could result in 46,000 of the nation's approximately 100,000 drug offenders in federal prison qualifying for early release.
entire article..which I know few will read is here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/justice-department-about-to-free-6000-prisoners-largest-one-time-release/2015/10/06/961f4c9a-6ba2-11e5-aa5b-f78a98956699_story.html?tid=pm_pop_b
Can anyone explain what they mean by "potential punishment for future drug offenders"?
Thanks in advance. :)
Just as long as they don't steal my stuff to pay for their habit.
1996 a guy stole my truck and hawked it for drug money. Cops found my truck and also found him. He only did about 1 year before getting back out. Sheesh.
I just watched an episode of VICE on HBO about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTL_3WL5gfw
There are too many people who are incarcerated for non violent drug crimes that are facing extremely long sentences compared to other violent criminals. Rapist and Child Molesters face 5-10 years and a guy who was caught with narcotics is facing 30 years or more if its the "3rd strike."
Most of the people say that taking a plea which includes a reduced sentence for federal crimes is better than actually going to federal court to fight the charges brought against you. One of the inmates says two people that he never recalls even meeting stated that he sold them drugs on the street, while he was in prison mind you, and he got a lengthier sentence because of their testimony. He states that its too hard and too costly to fight the charges even thought he is 100% that he couldn't possibly have been at the scene of the crime.
President Bill Clinton is featured at one point where they talk about the bills he introduced while he was President and then 25 years later when he realizes the bills that were passed were wrong and not effective.
Most police officers will tell you that the "war on drugs" is not a war that can be won, or even "put a dent in it" as one Sheriff put in the show.
Once these people serve their sentences and are labeled as Felons, their chances of getting a job, loan, house, or anything becomes extremely difficult.
As far as "potential punishment for future drug offenders", I believe that what they are reffering too is putting an end to long sentences for any future offenders who have yet to be sentenced where the harsh sentences are still being handed out.
dreb13, you pretty much nailed it. Having spent 20 years in law enforcement here in the states...a number of us deputies thought it might be better to just issue a ticket (citation) instead of arrest for possession of less than 20 grams. Now dealers are a different story. We went after the ones who dealt in drugs and the suppliers. It is a war that cannot be won unfortunately. You would have to take away the desire of the drug user which would be a monumental task and costly within itself. So long as you have that demand by the desiring user...you will have suppliers because of the money made.
We are getting more and more violent offenders in the system and they are becoming more important to get off the street. I have no problem with putting users back on the street. Not saying I condone their use of drugs but priorities shift and since this war is constantly going on against suppliers and dealers and violent offenders I think users are less of a priority.
It is also a matter of money available to fight this drug problem...like I said we shifted to actually creating a team to go after violent criminals in our county. We still have a drug unit that goes after dealers and suppliers. Can we win this war? How much money and resources are really available? Priorities, priorities.....our police departments are also short officers and it takes a while before you get a properly trained officer through all the training and out on the street working by themselves. I do not like the idea that there are some violent offenders being released. That portion is sheer stupidity.
I say again that I don't condone drug use but priorities have to be set to take care of more glaring problems. Thanks for listening.
Quote from: dreb13 on October 07, 2015, 02:58:59 PM
As far as "potential punishment for future drug offenders", I believe that what they are reffering too is putting an end to long sentences for any future offenders who have yet to be sentenced where the harsh sentences are still being handed out.
Thanks, that makes sense. :)