As part of his “second chance” initiative, President Barack Obama on Tuesday commuted the prison sentences of more than 100 nonviolent drug offenders, setting a new monthly record.
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About a third of Obama’s commutations have been for people serving life sentences. Along with his 673 commutations, the White House says, Obama “has also granted 70 pardons and is committed to continuing to grant additional commutations and pardons throughout the remainder of his presidency”.
The 111 commutations announced today were in addition to 214 commutations announced earlier this month.
Emmanuel Obi Maduka of Detroit was sentenced in the Southern District of NY in 2008 to 20 years in prison and 10 years of probation for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to import heroin.
Cynthia W. Roseberry, project manager for the project, said, “I want to express how pleased I am with the continued commitment that President Obama has shown toward commuting sentences”. Numerous criminals whose sentences were shortened Tuesday would have been given far shorter punishments under current guidelines.
Their sentences now will expire December 1.
Duane Clasen, of Evansville, was sentenced in Iowa in 2003 to more than 19 years.
Malik Abuhamid Ibm Wakil Abdunafi of Baltimore was sentenced to 20 years in 2007 for distribution and possession of narcotics and conspiracy to distribute. Thirty-five of those who were granted relief Tuesday had been serving life sentences. The administration has previously boasted that he has granted more such executive orders than the previous ten presidents combined.
President Barack Obama granted clemency to 111 federal inmates on Tuesday, including 35 inmates who were slated to spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
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Eggleston said Obama considered the individual merits of each application to determine that an applicant is ready to make use of their second chance.
