Wednesday’s action represents the most commutations issued by a president in a single day since at least 1900, according to the White House. “Since taking office, President Obama has fought for a smarter and more equitable criminal justice system”, The White House said in a blog post. Blue was sentenced in February 2007 to 292 months in prison and eight years on supervised release. He’ll be released December 1.
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According to the administration, in some cases release will be on condition of treatment for drug addiction or counseling.
For example, Maryland inmate Marston Edward Blue was given a life term in 2002 after a conviction on charges of conspiracy with intent to distribute, aiding and abetting and unlawful possession of a firearm. Obama’s so-called Clemency Project has granted a total of 562 commutations – more than all other presidents combined. Administration officials said the rapid pace will continue before Obama’s leaves the White House in January 2017.
Of the 214 inmates whose sentences were cut short on Wednesday, 67 were facing life sentences, The Washington Post reports.
Eggleston said Wednesday’s commutations continued an effort Obama begun two years ago to “spotlight instances of over-sentencing in our prisons” especially regarding people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.
They have been seen as part of a broader push to revamp the U.S. criminal justice system and ease the punishments dished out to non-violent drug offenders.
– Darnell Crookshank of West Covina, who was sentenced in 1996 to life in prison for drug conspiracy and manufacturing.
“Today, I’m commuting the sentences of an additional 214 men and women who are just as deserving [as Chester] of a second chance”, Obama wrote. “I believe that at its heart, America is a nation of second chances”. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison on February 16, 1996 for violating supervised release in the Middle District of Louisiana.
Deborah Lucille Blue, Alcoa, was sentenced for distribution of cocaine base, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and supervised release violation for distribution of cocaine hydrochloride.
Typically, Obama has granted clemency to 40 or 50 inmates a month.
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More commutations are expected before the president leaves the White House next January.
