Skip to main content
The homepageVoxVox logo
The homepageVoxVox logo

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

US to allow 46K prisoners to apply for earlier release from prison

by Dara Lind
46,265 prisoners will be eligible to apply to have their sentences reduced.
46,265 prisoners will be eligible to apply to have their sentences reduced.
46,265 prisoners will be eligible to apply to have their sentences reduced.
Tony Avelar/Christian Science Monitor
Part Of
America tries to shrink its prison state
see all updates

On July 18th, the US Sentencing Commission voted to make the latest reductions in federal sentencing guidelines, which it approved in April, apply to people currently serving sentences in federal prison for drug crimes.

46,265 prisoners will be eligible to apply to have their sentences reduced. The average reduction will be about 25 months. Prisoners will begin to be released on November 1, 2015.

Read more about the sentence-reduction plan here.

See More:

More in: America tries to shrink its prison state

Why cutting federal drug sentences is a big deal, in 2 chartsWhy cutting federal drug sentences is a big deal, in 2 charts
This tool lets you try to end mass incarceration. You’ll have to take on violent offendersThis tool lets you try to end mass incarceration. You’ll have to take on violent offenders
The 2 simple facts that explain why the US prison population explodedThe 2 simple facts that explain why the US prison population exploded

Most Popular

  1. Donald Trump messed with the wrong pope
  2. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword
  3. The Supreme Court could legalize moonshine, and ruin everything else
  4. The Air Quality Index and how to use it, explained
  5. What trainers actually think about the 12-3-30 workout

More in Criminal Justice

Policy
Pam Bondi’s ouster makes Trump’s Justice Department even more dangerousPam Bondi’s ouster makes Trump’s Justice Department even more dangerous
Policy

The best thing about Bondi was her incompetence.

By Ian Millhiser
Culture
Me Too revealed a lot of villains. Why is Epstein the one we still care about?Me Too revealed a lot of villains. Why is Epstein the one we still care about?
Culture

How the Epstein story became an American parable.

By Constance Grady
Future Perfect
These reforms could transform criminal justice for people — and they cost almost nothingThese reforms could transform criminal justice for people — and they cost almost nothing
Future Perfect

Crime is falling to historic lows. This economist knows how to make it plunge even faster.

By Bryan Walsh
Podcasts
The influencer circus around Nancy Guthrie’s homeThe influencer circus around Nancy Guthrie’s home
Podcast
Podcasts

Are they harming the investigation — or just doing the same thing as CNN?

By Kelli Wessinger and Sean Rameswaram
Policy
The Supreme Court appears likely to let stoners own gunsThe Supreme Court appears likely to let stoners own guns
Policy

Gun lovers may soon have the right to bear bongs.

By Ian Millhiser
Policy
The Supreme Court will decide if marijuana users may be barred from owning gunsThe Supreme Court will decide if marijuana users may be barred from owning guns
Policy

Do stoners have a right to bear arms?

By Ian Millhiser