A change in federal sentencing rules means that a number of crack cocaine offenders - many of whom are from Jacksonville - will soon be eligible for release. They would get out eventually anyway, of course, but having the sentences of 772 offenders retroactively shortened seems like a bit of a surge in releases. These are people who will quickly end up back in society, often unable to function outside of prison, and frequently without anywhere specific to go home to. Where they end up is pretty much the luck of the draw.
The Middle District, which includes all of Northeast Florida, has 772 crack offenders eligible for retroactive reductions, the second-highest number in the nation. According to the commission, 76 of those offenders will be eligible for release immediately when the decision takes effect March 3.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I believe deeply in “give me liberty or give me death” but some of these people need to be given more time not less time!!. The writer here comically writes that some will have no specific place “to go home to”. I respectfully disagree. Without any effective reentry assistance some will return to the worst part of the neighborhoods they came from, play round-robin at city Missions or spend long days at Confederate park or Hemmings Plaza. Of course some will go straight, seeking rehad or GOD. But still others will continue commit crimes and go right back to jail………..BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD..THERE GOES I !!