Uncommon Freedom: Geriatric Release From Prison Rare
Uncommon freedom: Geriatric release from prison rare “Smoke crack,” Soyars told police, according to a court transcript. “I was going to feed that damn addiction.” By the time prosecutors charged him, Soyars had been drug- and alcohol-free for more than… Continue reading
Paul, Other Senators Push for Sentencing Overhaul
Paul, other senators push for sentencing overhaul He said one man, Edward Clay, was arrested with less than 2 ounces of cocaine. Even as a first-time … Paul said when he described the effects of mandatory minimum sentences, "you might… Continue reading
Here's What 3 Senators Told PolicyMic About the War on Drugs and Millennials
... What 3 Senators Told PolicyMic About the War on Drugs and Millennials Mandatory minimum sentencing refers to criminal penalties that require a specific minimum length of prison time. For example, under federal law, the possession of 28 grams of… Continue reading
Charles Rangel: America's "Front-Line General" in the Drug War
Charles Rangel: America's "front-line general" in the drug war Under his leadership, many members of the Congressional Black Caucus voted in favor of some of the most punitive drug-war era legislation, expanding mandatory minimum sentences, funding more prisons and boosting… Continue reading
Eric Holder Unveils New Reforms Aimed at Curbing US Prison Population
... Holder unveils new reforms aimed at curbing US prison population Drug-related offences drive the vast majority of this, and people convicted of conspiring to sell 5kg of cocaine will currently receive a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. But the… Continue reading
How Basketball (And Democrats) Gave Us Mandatory Minimum Sentences
How basketball (and Democrats) gave us mandatory minimum sentences But as mandatory minimums may be on their way out, it's worth remembering how the laws — which require judges to hand out big sentences for even minor crimes — came… Continue reading