New York votes to reduce steep drug sentences (moved from ATSNN), page 1

After years of trying to get overly steep mandatory prison sentences reduced for drug crimes in New York State. Lawmakers finally voted Tuesday to reduce the prison terms in this type of case. Sanctions in New York are considered among the most severe in the nation. This has been a decade long stuggle to lessen these sentences. Governor George Patacki said the new drug law "reflects a greater knowledge that we had 30 years ago".

www.nytimes.com

LBANY, Dec. 7 - After years of false starts, state lawmakers voted Tuesday evening to reduce the steep mandatory prison sentences given to people convicted of drug crimes in New York State, sanctions considered among the most severe in the nation.

The push to soften the so-called Rockefeller drug laws came after a nearly decade-long campaign to ease the drug penalties instituted in the 1970's that put some low-level first-time drug offenders behind bars for sentences ranging from 15 years to life.
Under the changes passed yesterday, which Gov. George E. Pataki said he would sign, the sentence for those same offenders would be reduced to 8 to 20 years in prison. The law will allow more than 400 inmates serving lengthy prison terms on those top counts to apply to judges to get out of jail early.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

These laws which have been effect for decades have been way to tough. In some cases murderers had shorter jail time then first time drug offenders. I do think that this was a long time coming. It should help reduce the over crowding of prison also!

[edit on 7-12-2004 by jeeze louise]