Norton Applauds Holder Announcement for Retroactive Prison Sentence Reductions Made at Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys Forum

Press Release

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made a major announcement at a June 10 Father's Day Forum on Returning Citizens held by the Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys, which is co-chaired by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL). The Caucus vice-chairs are Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL). Attorney General Holder announced that the Justice Department will support retroactive implementation of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guideline revisions to reduce sentencing levels for non-violent drug offenders. The forum was conceived following the historic sentencing guideline revisions by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, adopted on the recommendation of Attorney General Holder, that could reduce future sentences for as many as 70 percent of federal drug offenders. Under the proposal supported by Holder today, about 20 percent of the current federal drug offender population would be eligible to pursue a reduced sentence.

"I am thrilled that Attorney General Holder made this noteworthy announcement at a Father's Day forum attended by both Members of Congress and the public, including many returning citizens." said Norton. "It is particularly fitting that the panel of returning citizens who spoke following Attorney General Holder about their successful experiences in returning to civil society also heard this announcement."

The forum hosted a capacity crowd in the Rayburn House Office Building with an overflow room on another floor. Following Holder's remarks, a panel featuring formerly incarcerated fathers, each introduced by their home district's Member of Congress, discussed what led them to prison and how they reconstructed their lives. Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) introduced Adrian Muldrow of Baltimore, Maryland, founder of the We Can Achieve Youth Development Program Baltimore, who spent more than 20 years in and out of Maryland's prison system. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced Anthony Lowery of Chicago, Illinois, Director of Advocacy for Safer Foundation, who spent many years in and out of prison for drug offenses. Congressman Davis introduced Benneth Lee of Chicago, Illinois, a Community Liaison and Reentry Specialist for Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, who was a gang leader suffering from addiction and cycling in and out of prison. Congresswoman Norton introduced Charles Thornton of Washington, D.C., Director of D.C.'s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs, who was incarcerated for 10 years for heroin possession; Louis Sawyer of Washington, D.C., on the Mayor's Commission on Reentry and Returning Citizen Affairs, who spent more than 20 years in prison; and Tony Lewis Jr., founder of Sons of Life, a program that helps children of incarcerated parents, who is the son of an infamous D.C. drug dealer.

The Caucus was established by Norton and Davis last year as a platform to share and support ideas and initiatives with Members of Congress and state and local officials and communities nationwide, and as a vehicle for raising consciousness on the most persistent issues that disproportionately affect African American men and youth, from employment training and HIV/AIDS to criminal justice and family breakdown.

Source