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-33515373
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Obama frees drug offenders whose terms "didn't fit crimes" | Obama frees drug offenders whose terms "didn't fit crimes" |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has commuted the prison sentences of 46 drug offenders as part of a renewed effort to reform the criminal justice system. | US President Barack Obama has commuted the prison sentences of 46 drug offenders as part of a renewed effort to reform the criminal justice system. |
| In a video announcement, he said the prisoners were not "hardened criminals" and had been given sentences that "didn't fit their crimes". | In a video announcement, he said the prisoners were not "hardened criminals" and had been given sentences that "didn't fit their crimes". |
| He said it was part of a wider effort to restore the sense of fairness in a "nation of second chances". | He said it was part of a wider effort to restore the sense of fairness in a "nation of second chances". |
| Mr Obama is due to unveil plans for criminal justice reforms on Tuesday. | Mr Obama is due to unveil plans for criminal justice reforms on Tuesday. |
| He has now commuted the sentences of 89 prisoners, with most being non-violent drug offenders who applied for clemency under an initiative that began in April 2014. | |
| Most of those involved in Monday's move were jailed for crack cocaine offences, which once carried a sentence equivalent to someone caught with 100 times the same amount of powder cocaine. | |
| The 46 prisoners are scheduled to be released on 10 November. | |
| In a letter sent to each of the prisoners, Mr Obama said he was granting their applications because "you have demonstrated the potential to turn your life around". | |
| The letter ended: "I believe in your ability to prove the doubters wrong, and change your life for the better. So good luck, and Godspeed." |