This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34460443

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
About 6,000 US inmates to be released early About 6,000 US inmates to be released early
(35 minutes later)
Roughly 6,000 federal inmates will be released in the coming weeks in an effort to ease prison crowding and lessen harsh penalties for non-violent offenders, US media report.Roughly 6,000 federal inmates will be released in the coming weeks in an effort to ease prison crowding and lessen harsh penalties for non-violent offenders, US media report.
The release is the biggest of its kind in US history, the Washington Post reported.The release is the biggest of its kind in US history, the Washington Post reported.
The inmates being released early were all convicted of drug-related charges.The inmates being released early were all convicted of drug-related charges.
An additional 8,500 inmates will be eligible for release starting in November.An additional 8,500 inmates will be eligible for release starting in November.
The US Sentencing Commission unanimously approved the reductions to the jail terms of inmates last year.The US Sentencing Commission unanimously approved the reductions to the jail terms of inmates last year.
Up to 46,000 of the nation's about 100,000 drug offenders could qualify for early release under the commission recommendations.Up to 46,000 of the nation's about 100,000 drug offenders could qualify for early release under the commission recommendations.
These 6,000 prisoners are the first wave of early releases. Most of the those released will see about two years trimmed from their original prison terms.These 6,000 prisoners are the first wave of early releases. Most of the those released will see about two years trimmed from their original prison terms.
"Even with the Sentencing Commission's reductions, drug offenders will have served substantial prison sentences," Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told the Post."Even with the Sentencing Commission's reductions, drug offenders will have served substantial prison sentences," Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told the Post.
About one-third of the inmates up for release are foreign citizens. They will be quickly deported, officials said.About one-third of the inmates up for release are foreign citizens. They will be quickly deported, officials said.
President Barack Obama's administration has been working to tackle what he sees as a lack of fairness in the system.President Barack Obama's administration has been working to tackle what he sees as a lack of fairness in the system.
The planned releases continue a drive that started in 2013 when US Attorney General Eric Holder dropped mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders.The planned releases continue a drive that started in 2013 when US Attorney General Eric Holder dropped mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders.
Many leading Democrats and Republicans now believe that mandatory prison sentences that led to mass incarceration in US have not been effective. Many leading Democrats and Republicans now believe that mandatory prison sentences that led to mass incarceration in the US have not been effective.
The US has almost a quarter of the world's prison population - one in every 99 Americans is behind bars.The US has almost a quarter of the world's prison population - one in every 99 Americans is behind bars.
"Far too many people have lost years of their lives to draconian sentencing laws born of the failed drug war," Jesselyn McCurdy, a senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union told the New York Times. "We are overjoyed that some of the people so wronged will get their freedom back.""Far too many people have lost years of their lives to draconian sentencing laws born of the failed drug war," Jesselyn McCurdy, a senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union told the New York Times. "We are overjoyed that some of the people so wronged will get their freedom back."
However, others are concerned that such a large prisoner release could lead to an uptick in crime in the US.However, others are concerned that such a large prisoner release could lead to an uptick in crime in the US.
Many US cities have seen homicide rates in increase over the past year and some law enforcement officials worry a surge of ex-convicts could exacerbate that trend.Many US cities have seen homicide rates in increase over the past year and some law enforcement officials worry a surge of ex-convicts could exacerbate that trend.