Watch a Columbia Professor Decimate Jasmine Crockett
There's Been a Massive Shakeup at the National Security Agency
Senate Republicans Appear to Have the Votes to Push Through Trump's Budget Reconciliation...
Pentagon Watchdog Launches 'Signalgate' Investigation Into Pete Hegseth
United Kingdom Weighs Striking Back Against US Tariffs, and It's Asking Businesses for...
An Ivy League Professor Flees to Canada and You Will Be Made to...
'Designed for Battle' Isn't a Valid Argument for Gun Control
Did '60 Minutes' Put Out Their Worst Segment With Lesley Stahl Providing Cover...
Kamala Harris Did More Than Just Endorse New WI Supreme Court Justice
Trump Weighs In on Proxy Voting Proposal, and It Looks Like There May...
Bernie Sanders Once More Tries, Fails Miserably to Get His Anti-Israel Resolutions Passed
Is AOC Really the Democratic Party's Leader? Here's What These Polls Say.
Senate Votes on Confirming Dr. Oz for Role in Trump Administration
We Will Hold Rogue Judges Accountable, Rep. Gill Says
Will the Liberal Media Cover This Horrific Crime Story?
Tipsheet

Obama Cuts Sentences of 46 Prisoners: "Their Punishment Didn't Fit the Crime"

Boosting his agenda to reform the criminal justice system, President Obama commuted the prison sentences of 46 people—all of which were convicted of non-violent, low-level drug offense.

Advertisement

A commutation does not dismiss the conviction, however, it releases the punishment. Obama, in a statement upon releasing the 46 prisoners, claims, "at its heart, America is a nation of second chances, and I believe these folks deserve their second chance."

So far, Obama has granted nearly 90 commutations in his time in office. Obama has received requests from 30,000 inmates but most of them did not qualify as they are not in federal prisons or have been charged with a violent crime.

As Obama's term comes to a close, part of his final agenda includes focusing on criminal justice reform. In addition to commuting prison sentences, he also plans on speaking at the NAACP in Philadelphia on Tuesday. He will also be the first president visiting a federal prison.

Bruce Todd, and Katrina Stuckley Smith were two of the 46 offenders commuted by Obama Monday. Both were convicted of possession and distribution of crack cocaine.

As each hand written letter was read, joy filled the hearts of each of the former prisoners. Now, these individuals have the opportunity to prosper and take on a life free of crime. President Obama personally wrote,

Advertisement

"I am granting your application because you have demonstrated the potential to turn your life around," Obama wrote. "Now it is up to you to make the most of this opportunity. It will not be easy, and you will confront many who doubt people with criminal records can change. Perhaps even you are unsure of how you will adjust to your new circumstances. But remember that you have the capacity to make good choices."

While Obama is set to commute more sentences before he leaves office, it is noted by White House counsel Neil Eggleston that "clemency alone will not fix decades of overly punitive sentencing policies."

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement