This Is Progress

[babylonsister]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/8/12/122549/844


This Is Progress

by BooMan
Mon Aug 12th, 2013 at 12:25:49 PM EST


Charlie Savage is concise:

WASHINGTON — In a major shift in criminal justice policy, the Obama administration will move on Monday to ease overcrowding in federal prisons by ordering prosecutors to omit listing quantities of illegal substances in indictments for low-level drug cases, sidestepping federal laws that impose strict mandatory minimum sentences for drug-related offenses.

That's really all you need to know. The Department of Justice is going to intentionally seek lighter sentences for minor drug offenses than those envisioned by federal law.

You can start clapping now.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. How 'bout just not prosecuting the minor drug offenses?

[DeSwiss]

11. This.

- They can't even get right, right. And it took them six years to do that.

[JaneyVee]

15. Took who 6 years to do what?

[NightWatcher]

2. So he'll leave some discretion to the state and local prosecutors and judges, BUT

if the state should decide to decriminalize or legalize marijuana, that's a big no no and the feds are still against this?


"Some issues are best handled at the state or local level," Holder will say, according to prepared remarks provided by the Justice Department. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/12/eric-holder-drug-sentencing_n_3741524.html

Here's a novel idea, I realize that prison is a big business, but why dont we clear out all the minor marijuana possessions and trafficking offenders and stop paying $35-50K each annually to house them in private prisons, since it's not really a crime that society needs protection from?

[Lee-Lee]

3. As I posted in the other thread, this is mostly show

He is changing it for minor, non-violent offenders who face Federal charges.

It is extremely, extremely rare for small time, non-violent offenders to ever face Federal charges. The Feds don't mess with small fry. Those charges are 99% of the time state/local charges, this changes nothing for them.

And given the nature of where the few such Federal charges come from, it will has a disparite benefit for whites. Blacks in urban areas who gave a disparate amount of prosecution all do so under state and local laws.

[Recursion]

6. It's the constant dilemma of sentencing reform

On the one hand, you want to limit it to the good guys who made a small mistake and got railroaded by the justice system, because suburban moms get nervous if you start getting too serious about ending the war on drugs. On the other hand, there aren't actually that many people in prison for simple possession of small amounts of drugs (though anything that gets the ones who are out of there is a good thing).

[zeemike]

13. But it looks good as a press release.

Especially at a time when this administration looks pretty much like the last one on the criminal justice system and spying.

Through the barking dogs a bone...then they will shut up about it.

[JaneyVee]

16. Out of 30,000 a year, 42% fall under that category. About 12,000 a year.

[ljm2002]

4. It's great news...

...and I give Eric Holder and President Obama great credit, and full support on this.

K&R

[Egalitarian Thug]

5. Agreed, but have we all really forgotten that baby steps are not the goal, but merely

an awkward process in learning to run free? We've been told that baby steps are all that can be expected for twenty years no.
& R

[progressoid]

7. This seems like a good thing.

Finally.

[Scuba]

8. When one is 180 degrees from the truth, shifting 5 degrees is indeed progress.

Not terribly satisfying, but progress.

[Egalitarian Thug]

14. +1

[ProSense]

9. ACLU Comment on DOJ Plans to Reduce Non-Violent Drug Sentences

ACLU Comment on DOJ Plans to Reduce Non-Violent Drug Sentences
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023451128

[Maedhros]

10. Obama should be applauded for taking this action

and encouraged to do more.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

12. Prepare to hear the "Soft On Crime" "Willie Horton" outrage on the Right...

They'll say "Obama is throwing open the jails letting hardened criminals loose on our streets!"

Somewhere in America a mom dressed like June Cleaver is snatching up her pigtailed daughter in a fucking pinafore dress from their own back yard and cowering under the dining room set until daddy comes home.

[malaise]

17. This is the best news in decades

I don't think many folks have a clue how Nixon and Reagan's racist drug laws have damaged the families of minorities. This and the end of stop and frisk are both great news.

[Cha]

18. It's an excellent start!

mahalo babylonsistah~