# Obama plans clemency for hundreds of non-violent drug offenders **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616 "2014-04-21T16:14:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/1 "2014-04-21T16:14:56Z")
[From Yahoo News:](http://news.yahoo.com/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-drug-offenders--162714911.html) > [@](#): > > Now, in his final years in office, Obama has trained his sights on prisoners like Scrivner, and wants to use his previously dormant pardon power as part of a larger strategy to restore fairness to the criminal-justice system. A senior administration official tells Yahoo News the president could grant clemency to “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of people locked up for nonviolent drug crimes by the time he leaves office — a stunning number that hasn’t been seen since Gerald Ford extended amnesty to Vietnam draft dodgers in the 1970s. > > The scope of the new clemency initiative is so large that administration officials are preparing a series of personnel and process changes to help them manage the influx of petitions they expect Obama to approve. Among the changes is reforming the recently censured office within the Justice Department responsible for processing pardon petitions. Yahoo News has learned that the pardon attorney, Ronald Rodgers, who was criticized in a 2012 Internal watchdog report for mishandling a high-profile clemency petition, is likely to step down as part of that overhaul. Additional procedures for handling large numbers of clemency petitions could be announced as soon as this week, a senior administration official said, though it could take longer. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/2 "2014-04-21T16:21:20Z")
Great news. Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/3 "2014-04-21T16:22:19Z")
Hundreds? Out of what, maybe a million incarcerated non-violent offenders?? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/4 "2014-04-21T16:31:38Z")
No there are about 210,000 federal prisoners. On the other hand there are about 1,300,000 state prisoners and 750,000 in city and county jails. > **[Incarceration in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States)** > > The United States is unparalleled historically and ranks among the highest worldwide in its dependence on incarceration. According to the latest available data at the World Prison Brief on May 7, 2023, the United States has the sixth highest incarceration rate in the world, at 531 people per 100,000; and the largest prison and jail population in the world at 1,767,200. In 2018, the United States had the highest incarceration rate in the world with 698 people incarcerated per 100,000,\[ Addition... Obama can only pardon people in federal prisons. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/5 "2014-04-21T16:34:12Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Hundreds? Out of what, maybe a million incarcerated non-violent offenders?? You can’t expect the president to pardon a million people. It looks like he’s focusing on people who were egregiously screwed by mandatory sentencing laws. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/6 "2014-04-21T16:35:46Z")
Wow. Is Obama finally going to do something I can approve? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/7 "2014-04-21T17:03:07Z")
**Kayaker** raises bong heavenward, “Let my people go!!!” ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/8 "2014-04-21T17:14:16Z")
As good as this looks on paper, I question the wisdom of releasing several thousand drug addicts onto the streets after they’ve been imprisoned for years, and presumably “institutionalized” in the Shawshank Redemption sense. The P.R. could backfire in a major way if just ONE of those released prisoners commits some violent atrocity, and ends up becoming a poster child for those dastardly Republicans in the next election cycle – anyone remember Willie Horton? That being said, I’m definitely in favor of leniency for non-violent drug offenders, esp. replacing jail time with therapy. I’d even support a Constitutional Amendment to that effect, if that’s what it would take to force those pesky red states to fall in line. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/9 "2014-04-21T17:14:25Z")
Not sure the Dem candidates in the mid-terms are going to be pleased with this move. It’s handing ammunition to the other side… ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/10 "2014-04-21T17:15:41Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Not sure the Dem candidates in the mid-terms are going to be pleased with this move. It’s handing ammunition to the other side… I disagree. I think letting people out of prison has bipartisan appeal. Naturally, some won’t like it, but I doubt it would be those who would consider voting Democratic anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/11 "2014-04-21T17:19:19Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Not sure the Dem candidates in the mid-terms are going to be pleased with this move. It’s handing ammunition to the other side… I don’t know how the numbers break down, but this has slowly become a less controversial issue. Republicans who like Rand Paul will like this. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/12 "2014-04-21T17:27:26Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > As good as this looks on paper, I question the wisdom of releasing several thousand drug addicts onto the streets after they’ve been imprisoned for years, and presumably “institutionalized” in the Shawshank Redemption sense. The P.R. could backfire in a major way if just ONE of those released prisoners commits some violent atrocity, and ends up becoming a poster child for those dastardly Republicans in the next election cycle – anyone remember Willie Horton? So, because a _few_ out of _thousands_ of these people just MIGHT commit a crime we should keep them all locked up for the rest of their lives? What are YOU smokin’? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/13 "2014-04-21T17:34:44Z")
Good to hear some progress from the allegedly progressive Obama. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/14 "2014-04-21T17:51:59Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Wow. Is Obama finally going to do something I can approve? You can still be pissed he didn’t start this project on Day One of his first term; I know I am. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/15 "2014-04-21T19:47:11Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > As good as this looks on paper, I question the wisdom of releasing several thousand drug addicts onto the streets after they’ve been imprisoned for years, and presumably “institutionalized” in the Shawshank Redemption sense. The P.R. could backfire in a major way if just ONE of those released prisoners commits some violent atrocity, and ends up becoming a poster child for those dastardly Republicans in the next election cycle – anyone remember Willie Horton? > > That being said, I’m definitely in favor of leniency for non-violent drug offenders, esp. replacing jail time with therapy. I’d even support a Constitutional Amendment to that effect, if that’s what it would take to force those pesky red states to fall in line. Who says they’re drug addicts? The mandatory minimum sentencing laws put a bunch of people in prison for years on conspiracy charges for such horrors as answering a phone for someone who sold drugs. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/16 "2014-04-21T20:04:43Z")
I would like to see non violent offenders out of jail so that there would be room for the like of [Darrell Dennis,](http://www.fox16.com/news/story/Update-Little-Rock-Man-Held-on-1-Million-Bond-in/d/story/DMHjByV340mmzDxfidB3ng) who was on parole instead of serving some forty years of jail time. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/17 "2014-04-23T03:13:08Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t know how the numbers break down, but this has slowly become a less controversial issue. Republicans who like Rand Paul will like this. Apparently, Eric Holder did a poor job of explaining [what is actually happening](http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/04/22/eric-holders-one-who-needs-pardon-after-clemency-message-disaster/?intcmp=obnetwork). Yes, that’s a FOX News article. Read it anyway. Makes a lot of sense. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/18 "2014-04-23T04:22:23Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Wow. Is Obama finally going to do something I can approve? You must be one of the extremely small subset of Americans who didn’t want bin Laden dead, then, right? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/19 "2014-04-23T04:27:59Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Apparently, Eric Holder did a poor job of explaining [what is actually happening](http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/04/22/eric-holders-one-who-needs-pardon-after-clemency-message-disaster/?intcmp=obnetwork). Yes, that’s a FOX News article. Read it anyway. Makes a lot of sense. Holy shit; that was actually a good article. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, **Oakminster**. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616/20 "2014-04-23T04:46:52Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Holy shit; that was actually a good article. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, **Oakminster**. While the author’s basic point is well-taken, she misunderstood Holder’s use of the word “regime” and also misunderstood McCarthy when she said he was wrong to say that pardon power was legislative. Holder didn’t mean what she thought he meant and McCarthy didn’t say what she thought he said. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plans-clemency-for-hundreds-of-non-violent-drug-offenders/686616.md?page=2)