Dozens Of Federal Drug Prisoners To Be Released In Michigan

DETROIT (AP/WWJ) - Federal authorities say a push to overhaul criminal sentencing is prompting the expected early release a few dozen federal drug prisoners in Michigan.

About 6,000 inmates are due to be freed from custody nationwide in the coming month, the result of changes made last year to guidelines that provide judges with recommended sentences for specific crimes. The Associated Press published the results of its review of the records Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Federal Bureau of Prisons released state-by-state numbers on the expected destinations of more than 4,000 of the prisoners to be released. The Detroit Free Press reports 83 are expected to be in Michigan. Others could face deportation.

Supporters of lighter drug sentences say there's no evidence that longer punishment protects public safety.

This latest comes a little more than a week after release was denied for one Detroit area man serving time on drug charges in a famous case.

The Michigan appeals court put the brakes on a new sentence for the one-time teenage cocaine dealer known as "White Boy Rick"  — in prison for nearly 30 years   — overturning a decision by a Wayne County judge that likely would have led to his parole.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.