Biden sets record by commuting sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted on nonviolent drug charges

[Missourian]

I'm not opposed to this.

If these folks have served longer than what they would have been sentenced today, let them go.

I think we've proven that long sentences for minor drug crimes has not served as a deterrent.

NCDAS: Substance Abuse and Addiction Statistics [2023]

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics has the latest facts & statistics on substance abuse, including alcoholism & opioid addiction.

drugabusestatistics.org

 

[Anathema]

I agree. The vast majority of these people are Black, inner-city young men who were sentenced to decades in prison for a small amount of crack, while if you were White, and got caught with literal pounds of powder, you could get probation.

As the bulk of these people have already served years-long incarceration, again, in some cases decades--it seems appropriate to give them a second chance.

No second chances. Ever. Yes, the white biys should have been similarly sentenced, but that doesn’t mean these criminals should be excused.

Hell, I’d have executed both groups, given the power.

 

[scruffy]

The final tranche of commutations...making Biden, by far, the most prolific user of the Presidential commutation and pardon power in history:

Biden sets record by commuting sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted on nonviolent drug charges

President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.

apnews.com

President Joe Biden announced Friday that he was commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, using his final days in office on a flurry of clemency actions meant to nullify prison terms he deemed too harsh.

The recent round of clemency gives Biden the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued. The Democrat said he is seeking to undo “disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice.”

“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in a statement. “This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars.”

Hours after the original announcement, the White House released the names of the 2,490 individuals receiving commuted sentences. Biden said more could yet be coming, promising to use the time before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated Monday to “continue to review additional commutations and pardons.”

Is dealing fentanyl considered "non violent"?

 

[LeftofLeft]

Good for Biden and the pardon recipients. Elections have consequences and Presidents enjoy executive privileges.

That said, get ready for the January 6 Pardons. They are coming.

 

[Polishprince]

Is dealing fentanyl considered "non violent"?

Pushing Krokodil and Tranq are even considered non-violent offenses. And since no addict is going to stand up and testify against any threats made to them, you can't "prove" that the pushers are violent people who won't take "go fuck yourself " as a response to a request for payment.

 

[Missourian]

Anybody going to complain if Trump pardons non-violent offender Ross Ulbricht?