Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal to Ease Sentencing Laws

One of the awful results of the last election is that Senator Grassley still heads an important committee. As one could see from the Kavanaugh hearings, he's a confused, partisan hack. Like Lindsay Graham, one of his committee members, he will do and say anything to seek Trump's approval. As the Donald would say: Sad.

It's not a lot, but it's better than nothing. Non-violent offenders, especially drug abusers, should not have long sentences. Drug abusers should be treated, not incarcerated, unless they committed a non-drug offense. Judges should have the discretion to consider sentences tailored to each individual. In my career that was related to criminal justice, I saw the pendulum swing back and forth in terms of punishment versus rehabilitation. Society is better off rehabilitating those who can be rehabilitated. They become productive, tax-paying citizens while costing society less in terms of paying for not only incarceration but also the attorneys, judges and buildings that are part of the criminal justice system.

The lack of a retroactive provision makes this weak tea.

Wow! Democrats and Republicans working together and compromising to solve a problem. There is hope.

NYT: you are misleading people to think Federal crime bills impact the nation. They do not! Any sentencing changes will only impact those accused of Federal crimes. There are about 200,000 prisoners in Federal prisons, whereas there are about 2,200,000 million in state and local jails. Criminal justice, or lack thereof, is primarily a state issue. Contact your state legislators for real change. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/5/22/17377324/first-step-act-prison-reform-congress

Mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines are antithetical to the very reason that judges exist, and they have been interfering with proper adjudication for decades. This kind of limitation on judicial discretion makes a mockery of our entire system of laws. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Let's hope this common sense, money saving, and more appropriate sentences for nonviolent offenders can pass this time. This can be one of the most important initiatives of the Trump Administration.

Referring to a "mecurial" president and suggesting he may jettison this proposal ignores the fact that Trump has been an outspoken advocate for prison reform. It's a shame the NYT cannot refrain from editorializing.

Three million plus people in jail is criminal.