National Bar Association Applauds U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s Call For Reform of Mandatory Prison Sentencing

NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER’S CALL FOR REFORM OF MANDATORY PRISON SENTENCING

WASHINGTON, DC (August 12, 2013) – The National Bar Association (NBA), the nation’s oldest and largest association of African American lawyers and judges, applauds U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for his statement today calling for the reform of mandatory drug sentencing for low-level, non-violent drug offenders and the re-evaluation of the current policies within the criminal justice system. NBA President Patricia Rosier stated, “The NBA has long been an advocate for reform relative to the disparities in mandatory prison sentencing that disproportionately impacts communities of color. We applaud Attorney General Holder’s statements today as they are the first step in confronting and extinguishing these disparities and inequalities that exist within our communities. We will continue to advocate for and encourage bipartisan support to pass legislation that will reform the current guidelines and judicial discretion in the sentencing of drug offenses, and crimes.” It has been reported that the federal prison population has grown by almost 800 percent, with more than 219,000 federal inmates currently behind bars. The National Bar Association has called for reform of mandatory sentencing specifically as it relates to the disparities in crack-cocaine sentencing and has instituted several signature programs and initiatives to end the school-to-prison pipeline. Reference: www.nationalbar.org