Federal Inmate Refuses President Obama’s Commutation

Throughout his presidency, President Obama has made it his mission to fight for a more reasonable criminal justice system. In doing that, he has used his presidential power to give inmates, jailed for nonviolent drug offenses, a second chance.

As of October 6, President Obama has pardoned 774 sentences, with a total of 590 commutations this year, reports state. While, clemency seems like a big break or a second chance, there are still conditions that come along with it.

In about 92 of Obama’s clemency grants, the inmates would have to enroll in a residential drug treatment program, which seems like a fair exchange for jail time. However, Arnold Ray Jones, 50, didn’t think so, as he became the first to refuse that condition, reports state.

Apparently, if Jones had agreed to the conditions of his pardon, he would have been out in two years. Reports state, Jones still had six years left on his 2002 drug trafficking sentence, however, he could get out earlier for good behavior. So, he could still be out in April 2019. Which is only eight months longer than if he accepted the pardon.

Jones’ records show that drug treatment programs have been ineffective for him, in the past. However, officials have not released the reason behind his refusal. 

Apparently, Jones’ mother was unaware of her son’s refusal. “I don’t know about him declining or anything. I’m looking for my son to come home,” she said of the Texas inmate.

According to reports, since Aug 3, 22% of the commutations the president has granted have required a drug program.