The 8th Amendment states that "cruel and unusual punishments [shall not be] inflicted". However, hundreds of first-time, small-scale, non-violent offenders get charged and convicted under certain federal guidelines that recommend sentences of life without parole regardless of mitigating circumstances. Not only can this be cruel, but it wastes millions of American taxpayer dollars each year.
Searching for justice, these people can either go through lengthy appeals or petition the President for commutation, but many, more serious offenders also do this. Thus, we ask to establish a dedicated review system for clemency petitions for such aforementioned cases when the sentencing judge recognizes mitigating circumstances but still orders the maximum punishment. E.g.: http://nyti.ms/1drzjcU