The new federal guidelines have reduced the sentences of federal drug felons by an average of 13.75%. At the start, people sentenced for possession of drugs were sentenced to a minimum of 55 to 60 years and now under the new guidelines it has been reduced to 20 to 25 years.
Explanation:
- The guidelines, would also eliminate the “three strikes” penalty that makes offenders live life in prison after a third crime committed by them.
- This has a significant effect on African-Americans, who have faced much higher crime rates for drug crimes than white offenders.
- The proposal would result in shorter prison time and more judicial discretion in criminal sentencing.
- Unwinding some tough-on-crime policies have swelled the federal prison population.
- Revisions in the latest version would help the new prisoners to save term time.
- The new rule would not apply to the existing 700 rough inmates.
