Judge Smiley : I ' m surprised at Holder 's decision to avert mandatory minimum sentences . What took so long ? Such sentences have been a problem from the beginning , he says . He says tough - on - crime laws made incarceration increase 800 % ; blacks , Hispanics bore brunt . Smiley : Why is U.S. no longer willing to do this ? Not morals , sadly -- it just got too expensive .
Tavis Smiley : I 'm underwhelmed at Holder 's decision to avert mandatory minimum sentences . What took so long ? Such sentences have been a disaster from the beginning , he says . He says tough-on-crime laws made incarceration jump 800 % ; blacks , Hispanics bore brunt . Smiley : Why is U.S. no longer willing to do this ? Not morals , sadly -- it just got too expensive .