Buju Banton Might Be Getting Out Of Prison Early

Buju Banton could soon end up being one of thousands of non-violent offenders to see an early prison release. More than 6,000 inmates will be released beginning this weekend, the Justice Department announced.

Banton, born Mark Myrie, is nearing the halfway mark of a 10-year drug trafficking sentence. He was arrested on drug and firearms charges in 2009, the latter of which was dismissed in May 2015.

Inmates became eligible for release as of Nov. 1, through the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s reform effort to end overcrowding.

Last year, the commission moved to lower maximum sentences for non-violent offenders by an average of 18 percent. Around 16,000 inmates are expected to be freed within the first year, and 45,000 over the next several years.

Banton maintained innocence throughout his court ordeal. He was sentenced in 2011 and denied an appeal this past January. The jury foreman in his trial was found guilty of contempt last month.

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