Obama commutes sentences of 214 people

Both Brown’s and Jackson’s sentences will now end December 1, along with most of the rest of those receiving commutations Wednesday.

Clarence Ward, of Hollywood, has been serving a life term in prison since 2004 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He had been sentenced February 14, 2006, to 235 months’ imprisonment and six years of supervised release.

President Barack Obama on August 3, commuted the federal prison sentences of 214 inmates, including five Southland residents, saying they were sentenced under outdated guidelines.

Obama has now granted 562 commutations during his presidency, more than the number by the past nine presidents combined, it said. Of those, 197 were serving life sentences.

Today’s grant of 214 commutations is the highest in a single day since 1900. According to Neil Eggleston, the White House counsel, only legislation can provide the lasting reform that the criminal justice system needs.

Numerous convicts had been serving time for crack cocaine. Some also had conditions put on their release including requirement to enroll in educational programs and undergo drug rehabilitation and counseling. Since early July of 2015, Obama has been issuing commutations at a remarkable speed with the help of Clemency Project, an organization that aims to shorten federal prison sentences for those who likely wouldn’t receive such harsh punishment if charged today.

Yesterday’s decision came as part of President Obama’s ongoing efforts to reduce the number of non-violent offenders behind bars.

Before the President commuted his sentence, James was scheduled to remain in the Elkton Federal Correction Institution until 2022.

President Barack Obama just made history in a way that’s sure to ruffle some political feathers.

According to an ABC News report, the drug-related offenses that the now-commuted inmates were involved included crimes involving meth, cocaine and other illegal drugs.

Another South Carolinian sentenced to life in prison, Timothy Adams of Hartsville, had his sentence commuted to 360 months.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Obama said those granted clemency are “deserving of a second chance”.