Prison News
6,000 Federal Inmates Early Release
The proposed early release of 6,000 federal inmates is a major announcement, but still just one small step in reducing our national mass incarceration crisis. This nationwide release is scheduled between October 30–November 2. 8500 more federal inmates are scheduled for early release between November 1–November 1, 2016. During 2013, Eric Holder Jr.,the attorney general lobbied the United States Sentencing Commission to reduce the harsh sentences ( 20–50 year sentences) received by many nonviolent drug offenders. The Commission in 2014 implemented procedures to achieve that goal.
Under the federal process, inmates were granted the right to petition the court for an early release. During the past year, judges have denied some of the petitions. Federal judges were directed to focus on the safety of the public. About 70 of the petitions were granted every week. The majority of the prisoners will be released to halfway houses or confined to house arrest, before being fully released to their communities.
Over the last 30 years, the federal prison system exploded from about 30,000 prisoners to over 200,000. Almost 50% of the federal inmates were drug offenders, convicted of nonviolent offenses. Draconian drug sentencing, even for first time offenders starting in the 1980’s, was a major factor creating not only massive federal incarceration, but also our state’s mass incarceration crisis.The statistics speak for themselves. The United States has 25% of the world’s inmates, but only 5% of the world’s population. We have almost 2.2 million inmates imprisoned in our local, state, and federal prisons and jails.
Nationally, many of our states need to adopt the new federal changes regarding past sentencing of nonviolent offenders and start to reduce the large number of incarcerated nonviolent offenders.
By: Bradley Schwartz
Founder of prisonpath.com
This is what African prisons require so that over population will be reduced and government will also reduce the spending on inmates.
By:Shuaibu
Ethan S. Burger– * might be a more appropriate figure. Non-violent drug criminals (with the exception of so-called “white collar” criminals) should not be in jail. A great deal of this group of mental health problems. More importantly, as was recently noted by a New Orleans public defender who had a caseload of approximately 300 cases, many destitute people simply are without effective counsel and often enter their plea without meeting with their “court-appointed” lawyer. I concur with this individuals view that this situation in felony cases is unconstitutional since they were denied effective counsel who did not have time… Read more »
Ethan S. Burger
Please note that the star “8” above should have read 160,000+.
Enrique-
Is a complete failure to release them. They should serve their whole sentence. It is going to cost more to have them outside and care for them. I understand that puting bandades is a quick fix and polically looks good. We need to create or build more facilities and have them serve their punishment. They are/were placed in jail for a reason and now you arr rewarding them. What a joke.
That is why we need more programs to help everyone being released to reenter back into their communities & being able to financially support themselves. The P.R.I.D.E. PROGRAM (people reentering into doing entrepreneurship) does just that. Look for the program coming to your state soon.
By-Barry
Bonnie Kern
There are a lot of smart people imprisoned. Some can and do change when they receive help. It would be nice if, rather than building more prisons, there were more programs like the ones below.
President Obama urges to differentiate between violent and dangerous criminals that need to be locked up and young people and other nonviolent inmates:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/16/obama-el-reno-federal-correctional-institution-criminal-justice-reform/30234017/
The Pope is concerned for the imprisoned:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-visits-prisoners-in-philadelphia-1443358802
These Programs Are Helping Fix A Broken U.S. Prison System
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/12/recidivism-programs-prison_n_6655392.html
Prison vs Harvard in a debate:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/an-unlikely-debate-prison-vs-harvard-1442616928
Tony-
There is a drug crisis in this country. Opiate and Heroin use is increasing dramatically. Theses “Non violent” drug offenders include the dealers that are providing the substances. Your children, friends, family members and co workers are the one’s suffering. By releasing these inmates back to the streets is serving no justice. This movement is cost related. Drug dealers can not be cured. This movement is also happening at the state level. This is not a good practice
Drug dealers can not be cured? What study did this information come from? Or is it a statement made out of lack of knowledge on the topic? Someone that is selling drugs is making a illegal job choice. It is not a “cure” that is needed but instead a change in values. If you feel values can not change then you would be still crapping your pants. That being said at some point you felt the need to stop pooping your pants and started valuing the use of a toilet. We all learn at different periods in our life. Many… Read more »
Carmen–
The early release may help, many, but as soon as one of the released commits a heinous assault, and kills somebody and the lawsuits begin, that’s when they’ll reconsider the early release program
The early releases are focused on offenders who have committed nonviolent crimes. The courts were directed to take into account the public’s safety.
By–Brad
Andrew, did you even read the articles (above) where the President of the United States and the Pope do not agree with you? There are also several articles in that post discussing programs that are helping prisoners changed their lives. Did you read them? Here is another article for you to read: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/13/koch-bros-to-bankroll-prison-reform.html I believe you posted once about being injured by prisoners more than your share. I am sorry that happened to you. I know you have seen more than your share of prisoners who may not have known how to ask for help, but that does not mean… Read more »
hey carmen, study up. we’re talking about NON-violent drug offenders. jeez. some people. read up a little before you put your 2 cents in. otherwise, you sound ignorant. (right on brad. and for the other genius who commented that these were not first time offenders, but hardcore career criminal…you obviously need to study up too. there ARE first time offenders serving ridiculously long sentences – that congress dreamed up bc they didn’t know what the hell they were doing. period.
Andrew– So non violent drug dealers should not be in prison? Do you people realize how many times these people were caught BEFORE they were sentenced to 1 single day in prison??? These are not first time offenders we are talking about here. Many have been arrested 10, 15 times, or even more. So when are they held responsible for their repeated disregard for the law? Please tell me that! Bonnie…. how many times were you arrested before you were sentenced to prison? You could very well be the exception here. Back in your time, you might have been sent… Read more »
Did you even take the time to read the programs I posted above that are working in different states to help inmates change? Are you just going to keep lumping all prisoners into the drug dealing, murdering, robbing, etc. group. Are you not even open minded enough to believe that people can change when they learn better ways to live? Not all nonviolent prisoners are doing time for drugs. There are a lot of people locked up like me. All they need is for someone to help them learn the things that your family probably made sure you learned growing… Read more »
Ronald– Early Release. Interesting. Besides the fact that they were in prison for drug charges. Where do you think a majority of them got the money to buy drugs in the first place? By stealing, robbing, beating, murdering ordinary honest citizens just so they can have enough money to get that next high. Yes I agree some are non-violent, but some are not. Let us hope that President Obama is not trying to make a political statement here at the cost of ordinary citizens. Yes we have a lot of people in prison, but if you think letting them out… Read more »
You are SPOT ON!! I worked supervising BOTH Juvie AND adult Offenders. Every thing you say is true!! They will sell the undies off their Mother, if they can get $ for drugs!!
It takes a minimum of SEVEN(7) Residential Burglaries, before they get caught!! There are NO non-violent crimes! It’s SEMANTICS; how one plays w/ words!!
Scott– I disagree that most of these released will lead a life of crime. This statement is a gross overgeneralization. The problem I see with the selection process is that a U.S. government system in efforts to avoid discrimination will release inmates with knowledge of anti-social personalities disorders, you see the system as it stands will avoid such discrimination because other disorders are also released. There are ways of testing the inmates such as the Hare Psychopathic survey which will suggest and keep the dangerous psychopath from being released. One factor which is important is the the most dangerous criminals… Read more »
Clare–
What is our priority as a society? Public safety? Public perception? Sometimes we are our own worse enemies because we do a poor job of public relations and educating the public.
Paul– Most of these inmates will return to a life of crime probably dealing drugs.The fact that the releases will be spread out over the country will make it hard to track crime increases.I doubt if the Feds and Obama want to track these inmates after release.It might be stats they don’t want anyone to see.The author “prisonpath’ is a pro inmate group. Their statistic of 25% of the inmates and only 5% of the world pop is deceiving.The reason is the US has the best and most efficient criminal justice system in the world.Most countries have inept and corrupt… Read more »
Tina–Great post, the good news is that we are headed in the right direction for non violent Federal inmates. Thank you for sharing +Prison Path.
Brad—I agree Tina, small steps, but we are headed in the right direction.
Randall– Federal Inmates should not be looped in with the states non-violent drug offenders. The Federal Inmates are usually dealing in high quantities of illegal drugs. Those that seem to be of low quantities usually have pleaded down to a lesser amount in exchange for information. The Fed’s do not wast time on low level criminals and even the seemingly least involved are working with or for a high level organization that they were well aware of the leaders high distribution amounts and usually violent practices. Knowing that they decided to become involved with this organization, the conspiracy and RICO… Read more »
Scott–
California for the liberal state that it is has harsh 3 strikes sentencing. And while I believe they don’t use as much or have exceptions to the 3 strikes currently the law has overcrowded the prisons. Many believe the 3 strikes produced less crime and the statistics do reveal that crime is reduced, but it is across the nation as well. In addition, the Federal system has no parole system so the back up system is not there unless they treat them in the probation system.
Mike– Over the past several years, the Feds have been getting criticism concerning their offender sentencing practices not just by stateside whiners, but by other countries primarily those in the EU who have no where near the criminal populations that we do. In fact, other countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway all with tiny overall citizen populations compared to the US find our prison systems to be barbaric compared to theirs. Due to their much smaller offender base as well as the money they throw at these individuals, they seem to have a better recidivism rate than do we.… Read more »
Most if not all of those released will be under the watchful eye of U.S. Probation Officers. They will be afforded substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling (if needed), employment counseling, drug testing, and otherwise monitored for compliance. Based on my experience, many will violate conditions in various ways (i.e, test positive for drugs, fail to maintain employment, receive citations for minor law violations, etc…), but only about 10% will violate to such a degree that the Court will return them to federal prison.
by: Tim
Scott– I was asked to specify where I got the percentage of inmates who are the most extreme and antisocial and would most likely lead to a life of crime. It was one of those research studies I noted but could not specify at the time. I take the number from Dr. Robert Hare who has done extensive research on psychopathic behavior in the United States and Canada. He developed an interview format which determines the level and degree of antisocial behavior. He states in his writing in Criminal Justice Behavior and reprinted in 2008 in Current Perspectives in Psychology… Read more »
Kathleen–
If our justice system focused more on rehabilitation than punishment, that 25 percent would likely be a lower number. We rehab through our Juvenile Justice system, so why can’t we use similar techniques and programs for those in prison? Our government’s focus is mostly on punishment, but then does not have a way of re-acclimating those who are released into society. There has to be programs in place to help these individuals become producing members of society so they do not resort to crime again. Prisons in the U.S. are all about the money!
Richard–
Most drug offenders sent to state or federal prisons are actually non-violent criminals. Many are arrested for possession or intent to sell. Of course, drug charges can be added if those offenders are caught with an illegal weapon, but most are soley being convicted for possession or dealing the drugs.
Bonnie:
Andrew, are these people insane too?
More than a hundred of the nation’s top police chiefs and prosecutors are joining forces today to launch a new effort to cut the number of people in prison. The new coalition of 120 heavyweights, called Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration, is based on one big idea: Putting too many people behind bars doesn’t keep the public safe.
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/21/450302932/more-than-100-police-chiefs-and-prosecutors-unite-to-cut-prison-population
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Harold–
The cost of keeping low level offenders incarcerated is to high. The country will go bankrupt and half of its citizens would be in prison if this level of incarceration keeps up. The drug laws have to be reviewed and updated. I believe there should be different penalties for users, distributors and manufactors of drugs. I also believe law enforcement should go after the people who are making and distributing/seller. Not the user/addict. The addict needs medical help and care.
Enrique–
Big mistake to release them. You dont even have a well define or trained personnel to deal with them while there out. Good luck finding them a job or given them that miracle opportunity that doesnt exist. You are betraying the innocent people that pays you to do the right thing. Amazing!
agreed, harold
Beverly– What about protecting general public and the Police Officers, that put that badge on everyday? Of course since you are not wearing that badge and the Oath to protect and serve, what do you care. However, if you or one of your family members need help, the first people and number you would call is 911. Have you ever worked in a prison, if not then you need to get off your soap box. There are programs and counselors and trained staff to help these people while they are locked up. Do you have a Master Degree to work… Read more »
Jason–
These people are getting out eventually. Someone that is going to fall back into crime will do it now or in four years when they are released. These people who are being released early are ones that we as a society are trying to address discrimination in sentencing laws. Like the 50 to 1 disparity in cocaine vs. crack laws.
Bradley- Mary J I feel you; but no one likes talking about “the broken system” and greed/power continues to prevent a move towards humanity. If it isn’t your kid on heroin, or your mom’s house broken into who cares about the quality of services. People can’t grasp drugs as a disease and continue wanting the eye for an eye model. Your are dead on; our weakest soul reflects poorly on us all. Lets keep getting rich, ship all jobs out of USA, and laugh when finished products come back and no one can buy due to the lack of jobs… Read more »
Bradley– Andrew; I started my career more towards your extreme but moved closer to the middle. Criminals need to be in prison such as killers, rapist, and people who do crime unlike drug offenders who do crime due to mental issue of dependence of drug and need a short term lock up until a highly structured less restrictive mainstreamed placement can be utilized that assist them with the motivator that pushed their crime behaviors. Big issue, the majority have spoken and don’t want to pay for more prisons so we need to focus on proper selection and placement in society… Read more »
Mary– I currently work in the correctional system. I am a mental health clinician working in the transition program working to help prepare offenders with a mental illness to transition back into the community. Just in case there is question I am a very realist clinician and a mental illness DOSE NOT give you a pass in fact that means we work harder to take care of ourselves. I think someone said it earlier “learn to fish”. So here is what I see, frustration, fear, confusion, and maybe a little bit of helplessness. All in the form of distraction. We… Read more »
Bonnie– MENTOR A mentor does not give a person a fish. They teach them how to fish. If the person is given a fish, they are stuck there waiting for the handout. When they learn to fish on their own, they can go anywhere. A mentor plants the seeds of hope in a person and asks God to water their protégé. They stand back and watch miracles happen in people’s lives. They understand that some miracles take more time, struggles and failures than others. A mentor is not a banker, hotel, taxicab or childcare. They provide the names of agencies… Read more »
Andrew– I still believe very strongly that across the board cutting the length of time these inmates spend in prison is a mistake. They were already given, in most cases, many, many chances. As far as re-entry programs, of course there should be something in place to prepare them to hit the streets. Free college should not one of those programs. You like stirring the pot don’t you??? You think you know my views on things. You like to assume things, if you cannot find it on the internet you make it up. Have your own opinion, and not that… Read more »
Bonnie–
Beverly, most of the population we are discussing do not necessarily have good social and telephone skills. Many times they are not taught those and other skills while they are growing up or while they are incarcerated. It is like asking someone to walk who has no legs. They can be really motivated, but the skill to do it is simply not there. Additionally, even if they are told how to have those social and telephone skills, it will take practicing, just like it took you practicing them to become proficient.
Tony–This is not a drastic cost saving change. Taxpayers are still paying for addiction beds. Health insurance will rise and everyone pays for that as well. The “Revolving” door from the correctional facilities is now at the addiction center. In the Documentary “Heroin: Cape Cod USA” an addict states they get high before the go in. And it’s one of the first things they do when they get out. Let’s see the statistical success of the addict who attends the center. I would bet the return rate is higher then the ones going back to prison. Aggressively discipline and tough… Read more »
people, the fact of the matter is: the US has the highest number of incarcerated people than any other country in the world. does that make you proud? go read up on what happens in most of the penitintuaries in this country. violence is not only condoned by correctional officers, but is often encouraged. they’re called “gladiator prisons” and it’s sickening to read what goes on in there. and guess what? the other prison population where this type of thing often occurs in youth facilities. yes, it’s true. it’s disgusting. inmates are treated inhumanely – there’s no rehabilitation – it’s… Read more »