WEB DESK
US President Barack Obama has cut short the sentences of 111 federal inmates, in another round of commutations for those convicted of nonviolent drug offences. Earlier this month, 214 federal inmates were granted commutation.
Mr Obama has long called for phasing out strict sentences for drug convictions. White House Counsel, Neil Eggleston yesterday said, the commutations underscored the President’s commitment to using his clemency authority to give deserving individuals a second chance. He said that Mr Obama has granted a total of 673 commutations, more than the previous 10 Presidents combined.
In 1980, the federal prison population was less than 25,000. Now, according to US Federal Bureau of Prisons, there are more than one lakh 93 thousnads federal inmates.