Obama Shortens Terms For Two Westchester Prisoners

Two men from Westchester are among the 214 federal inmates to make the list of nonviolent offenders who had their prison sentences cut Wednesday by President Barack Obama as part of an effort to reform the country's criminal justice system when it comes to certain drug crimes, according to multiple reports.

President Obama, pictured here at Westchester Aiport, announced his decision to cut the sentences of 214 nonviolent offenders Wednesday, including two Westchester men, The NY Daily News reports.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Amy Maciaszek

08/04/2016 11:42 a.m.

The White House announced the decision to commute the sentences Wednesday and it includes reductions in 67 life sentences. Eight New Yorkers made the list, according to the New York Daily News.

Terrence Upshaw of Yonkers, convicted in 1998 on cocaine-dealing charges, had been serving a life sentence but now is expected to be released Aug. 3, 2017, according to lohud.com.

Michael Moore of Mount Vernon, also sentenced in 1998, is now set to be released Dec. 1 with the commuted sentence on drug distribution and conspiracy charges out of Virginia, lohud.com says.

The massive cuts in sentences announced by Obama Wednesday is part of a larger effort to change the way the U.S. handles nonviolent drug-related offences. It is the greatest number of commutations issued in a single day, according to The Daily News.

White House counsel Neil Eggleston wrote that Obama's action Wednesday further supports the notion that this country believes is second chances, The Daily News reports.

Click here to read The NY Daily News article.

Click here to read the lohud.com article.

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