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Obama Commutes Sentences for 46 Convicted of Drug Offenses
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/obama-commutes-sentences-46-convicted-nonviolent-offenses-n391196President Barack Obama on Monday commuted the sentences of 46 federal prisoners convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.
The president cast the decision as part of a push to reform the criminal justice system. Had they been convicted of the same crimes today, most of the 46 would already be out of prison, the White House said. Fourteen were serving life sentences.
"These men and women were not hard criminals," Obama said in a video message. "Their punishment did not fit the crime."
He added: "I believe at its heart America is a nation of second chances, and I believe these folks deserve their second chance."
The president cast the decision as part of a push to reform the criminal justice system. Had they been convicted of the same crimes today, most of the 46 would already be out of prison, the White House said. Fourteen were serving life sentences.
"These men and women were not hard criminals," Obama said in a video message. "Their punishment did not fit the crime."
He added: "I believe at its heart America is a nation of second chances, and I believe these folks deserve their second chance."
If only Don Siegelman had been convicted of a drug offense.
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