In the last few weeks of his administration, President Obama is working hard to free as many non-violent drug offenders as he can.
On Tuesday, the Obama administration granted clemency to 79 more federal inmates, bringing the grand total to 1,023 inmates since President Obama began this initiative in 2014. 342 of those non-violent prisoners were serving life sentences for their offenses. 18 of the prisoners freed on Tuesday were serving life sentences for their nonviolent drug related crimes.
President Obama has granted more commutations than the last 11 presidents combined. Due to anticipation that the Trump administration is not likely to continue this initiative, President Obama is working hard to make sure all pending clemency applications have been ruled upon.
“The President’s gracious act of mercy today with his latest round of commutations is encouraging,” said Brittany Byrd, a Texas attorney who has represented several inmates who have received clemency. “He is taking historic steps under his groundbreaking clemency initiative to show the power of mercy and belief in redemption. Three hundred and forty-two men and women were set to die in prison. The president literally saved their lives.”
Not all inmates are getting out of jail immediately, just because they’ve been granted clemency. President Obama has granted them clemency by shortening their sentences. Each clemency is on a case by case basis.
