Obama plans to help non-violent drug offenders get out of jail sooner

ANDREW BURTON/Getty Images

Obama plans to help non-violent drug offenders get out of jail sooner
(Image credit: ANDREW BURTON/Getty Images)

The Justice Department will announce later this week new criteria to use when recommending clemency applications to President Obama, a move that Attorney General Eric Holder said could result in "thousands" of applications for reduced sentences.

The change is aimed at reducing prison sentences for those who were convicted years ago under drug laws that no longer carry as harsh of punishments. Yet the new criteria could affect many other non-violent drug offenders who feel they deserve some leniency, too.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.