John Oliver Investigates Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Drug Offenders

John Oliver dove deep again last night and spent 15 minutes discussing mandatory sentencing minimums for minor drug offenders. Fifteen minutes might seem like a lot of time for a late night television show to spend on any one topic ‘ the same way that life in prison might seem a bit much for a nonviolent peripherally involved drug offender.
The laws keeping the men and women behind bars for disproportionate amounts of time were put into effect during the ’80s when crack cocaine hysteria was at an all-time high. Now, politicians across the board agree they ‘re too severe and haven ‘t done much to dissuade potential offenders.

Oliver ‘s segment is heavy this week, filled with some serious truths and also some outright lies, so watch out for those.