Lighten terms for non-violent offenders: #tellusatoday

President Obama visited a federal prison last week. He is calling for lighter sentences for non-violent drug offenders and other changes. Comments from Facebook and Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

President Obama is the first sitting president to visit a federal prison. He called attention to the fact that too many people who do not pose a risk to society are imprisoned for too long.

The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population and about a quarter of the world’s prisoners. It costs money to keep people in prison. So let’s find another solution. Building more private, for-profit prisons seems like a path headed in the wrong direction.

— Michael S. Ellegood

Obama also commuted the sentences of 46 individuals who faced decades in prison for non-violent drug offenses.

The clemency seems perfectly logical. If under today’s laws, the same convictions would result in shorter sentences, why not commute the time of the offenders who have already fulfilled and served the time required under the new sentencing guidelines?

Even the conservatives who automatically oppose everything Obama does should appreciate the fact that we’ll realize lower prison costs. This is a win-win for all !

— Ken Brockington

What good are these people to society? The only thing on their résumé is serving time. They will just turn back to crime to pay the bills.

— Ella Lee

Obama is right to take this action. Our elected representatives, in their ignorance and in a rush to address a perceived drug epidemic, created unfair and punitive laws.

As is typical, their solution was to put them in prison for a long time. Treatment would have been more effective and cost efficient.

— Bob Sommers

Releasing non-violent convicts early saves money, which is something fiscal conservatives would applaud. We’ll see if these folks are productive members of society or leeches.

— Carl Nordhielm

It is good to rethink the sentences of some non-violent crimes, but give dealers only one second chance. If they screw up again, lock them up and throw away the key.

— Sandy Wheeler Coryell

I agree with a lighter sentence if the drug offender is ordered to go to an outpatient treatment program.

— @PlumbbobGreen

Lighter sentences for non-violent drug offenders are essential to the future success of our criminal justice system. It is too crowded to continue!

— @Cydmeows

So if we decriminalize non-violent drug offenders, where do we draw the line?

— @DougieDior

The only type of prison reform should be ways to make prison a more miserable experience. Prison should be hell on earth, not a country club.

— @jasonsteiner

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