RIGHTING SENTENCES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 08
FEBRUARY 14, 2014 R al l y at 1 2 p m Market S quare Pit t s b u rgh
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BILLION MARCH BEEN DANCE PofE T RISING RISE! the FOR WEEK JUSTICE presents
END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE!
ONEBILLIONRISINGPGH.ORG See website for weather-based changes and more information on the day’s events.
The office of Republican Senator Pat Toomey did not respond to questions about his position on the legislation. While the legislation has support from Democrats and Republicans, as well as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, it is being criticized by the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys. “We need to preserve the current mandatory minimum framework,” NAAUSA said in a statement. “Mandatory minimums correspond to the most serious crimes committed by the most dangerous criminals, provide prosecutors the leverage to seek cooperation, establish uniform sentences, and most importantly protect our citizens.”
legislation affected only future prosecutions, a provision in the Smarter Sentencing Act would make the new sentences retroactive, shortening sentences for current federal inmates. Lowe, of the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, lauds such changes. One of his clients is serving time on a sentence handed down under the old rules. “He’s still doing 25 years” for selling crack, Lowe says. “Most places you get that for murder. That’s ridiculous.” T h e r e h ave b e e n changes at the state level too. In 2012, Gov. Tom Corbett — the state’s former attorney general — passed the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which expanded alternative-sentencing opportunities, like electronic monitoring, for nonviolent drug offenders whose crimes were motivated by addiction. Lowe sees such developments as a sign the nation’s war on drugs might be coming to an end. “The drug war in itself has been a failure,” Lowe says. “Drugs are no less available then they were before. People are being locked up, and money is being spent for no gain. It doesn’t stop the trade. It just locks a lot of people up.”
“IT DOESN’T STOP THE TRADE. IT JUST LOCKS A LOT OF PEOPLE UP.”
DESPITE SUCH critics, supporters say the legislation is indicative of shifting attitudes around drug offenses. In December, President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of eight crack-cocaine offenders. He’d previously signed the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which made the punishments for possessing or distributing crack cocaine more consistent with offenses involving powder cocaine. (Previously, sentences for crack were harsher.) While the 2010
RN U T TA L L @ P G HC I T Y PA P E R. C OM
Thelma & Louise {BY MATT BORS}
An adorable pair of bonded bunnies are looking for a home. They love their pals at Animal Friends, but long for a family to call their own.
Call Animal Friends today!
412-847-7000
www.dayauto.com 10
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 02.12/02.19.2014
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