In a speech Thursday at the National Press Club, Holder pointed to the new data as showing the fruits of his Smart on Crime initiative, an effort focused on reducing federal sentences for non-violent drug crimes. Holder plans to leave office in the coming weeks, pending the Senate approval of U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch.
Holder views the sentencing changes as a civil rights issue, because he and others argue that tough drug sentencing laws have a disproportionate impact on black and other minority defendants. The tough sentencing laws has also led to high incarceration rates and high prison costs, an issue drawing attention from both liberal and conservative political leaders.
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Obama commutes eight drug offenders’ sentences, why not others?
