WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is cutting short the sentences of 102 federal inmates as part of his ongoing push to grant clemency during his final months in office.
The latest round brings to 774 the number of sentences Obama has commuted, including 590 this year. The White House says it’s more than the previous 11 presidents put together.
Almost all of those receiving commutations were convicted of drug-related offenses. Most are considered nonviolent offenders, although some were convicted of firearms charges in connection with drug crimes.
Many of the recipients had been serving life sentences.
But Obama isn’t setting them all free right away. Many of those receiving commutations will see their sentences end in October 2018, almost two years into the next president’s term.
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I can;t believe there is not even one comment on this story
Good for you Mr.President. Empty the federal prisons of these ridiculous drug offenders
It looks like he delayed this for a midterm effect?
Many of these convicts would be savvy entrepreneurs in the new world where pot is legal and recognized as a medical benefit.
But noooooooooo, we gotta keep’em locked up for full political impact.
I know Barack is doing more than his predecessors but if he recognizes the problem and has no potential fallout career wise any longer then open the damn gates and set your people free.